South Ayrshire Council is committed to Homecoming Scotland 2009. It has already been successful in securing the first Signature Event, that will be hosted by the First Minister Alex Salmond, in Alloway over the weekend of 24 and 25 January 2009.
Councillor Hugh Hunter, the Leader of South Ayrshire Council said: “Homecoming Scotland 2009 has been inspired by the 250th anniversary of the birth of Scotland’s nation Bard, Robert Burns, so I think it is very apt that the first event takes place in Alloway where he was born.
“This prestigious event will set the standard for the year to come and will put the spotlight firmly on South Ayrshire, but not only in relation to the pillar of Burns. In July 2009 the Open Golf will be held in Turnberry, another Signature Event, so South Ayrshire will once again be the focus of attention around the world.”
The event in January will comprise the World Famous Burns Supper along with a schedule of animation events for the wider public, which will illuminate the main iconic and symbolic assets associated with Burns life and around the Burns National Heritage Park. This programme will be commissioned by EventScotland in partnership with South Ayrshire Council, Robert Burns World Federation and National Trust for Scotland.
EventScotland are responsible for co-ordinating the national programme for the year of the Homecoming and have worked hard to establish a core range of Signature and Themed events that will form the backbone of international and national marketing campaigns. There are five main themes for the Homecoming, the Bard himself, Whisky, Golf, Great Scottish Minds and Innovations and Scotland's culture and heritage. With a budget of £5 million pounds for 2008/09 Event Scotland has commissioned five Signature Events, two of which will be in South Ayrshire.
A Member Officers Steering Group has been established to provide strategic input to the range of activity that will be required to co-ordinate South Ayrshire’s Homecoming 2009 events and promotional campaign and provide a regular opportunity to keep Elected Members updated on progress. Due to the Civic nature of many activities Provost Winifred Sloan will be involved in the Group along with other Elected Members and representatives from the National Trust for Scotland and the private sector.
The Council will shortly be launching its own Homecoming South Ayrshire 2009 Grant Scheme, which will provide an opportunity to seek match funding for the development of Events which compliment the national programme.
The Leadership Panel has approved a new Tourism and Events strategy, that includes the establishment of a cross Council Tourism Officer Working Group, that will drive this and other tourism projects in South Ayrshire forward. The objective of the strategy is to “increase tourism revenue and contribute to the national growth target of 50% by 2015 and to lead the area in achieving recognition of Ayrshire as a key tourism destination.”
The strategy identifies seven areas of particular strengths that will help to contribute to meet these aims: golf, heritage, horse racing, Glasgow Prestwick Airport, business tourism, events and coastal activities.