Locum Destination Review - Issue 16
The journal of record for the global destination industry
Editorial
Welcome to our late summer edition of Locum Destination
Review. We’ve been through the highs and lows of summer: bursts
of sunshine and even bigger bursts of rain.
Recently we’ve all been transfixed by the Olympics,
and the sceptics have been proved wrong as Athens hosted a magnificent
games – a spectacular showcase of new architecture and infrastructure,
of the national heritage, and of modern Greek performing arts, not to
mention sport. No expense was spared, particularly under deadline pressure
in the final weeks.
There is no doubt in my mind that Athens will be a
better, cleaner, more attractive city to visit in the next decade than
it has been for some time, and that more people from all around the
world are currently thinking of visiting than ever before. Athens has
been transformed by the 2004 Olympics, on the ground and in the world’s
perception. The investment will prove to have been worth it.
And of course we ask ourselves: can London do it? Could
our government take the huge leap of faith required to deliver an Olympic
Games? And what would the lasting benefits be? (A team from Locum Destination
Consulting is currently working on this question for the LDA, so I won’t
even try to second guess their answer.)
Meanwhile, I hope that you enjoy this issue of Locum
Destination Review, which focuses on the theme of ‘people and
destinations’.
Tim Ambrose writes about visitor destinations built
around historical (or fictional) personalities. Jonny Anstead introduces
us to Michael Eavis, founder of the Glastonbury Festival and a unique
personality himself.
Mark Ellingham, founder of Rough Guides, introduces
himself and some of the places he has encouraged his readers to make
their own. Boris Johnson expresses his political slant on access to
our heritage and cultural assets.
A series of special articles looks at people’s
use and enjoyment of public space. Julia Thrift of CABE extols the virtues
of parks, while Jess Harris takes us on a tour of squares, undercrofts
and other more and less salubrious parts of the public realm. Tim Stonor
sets out some of the principles of success, which rely on people moving
(and people sitting still), derived from the work of his firm, Space
Syntax.
As always, autumn brings a fresh start and we
wish you all well over the coming months. Keep in touch.
Italo Cerullo
Editor
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