It was discussed that there will be a Hay Visitor Survey distributed prior to the Hay Festival and the survey will run for one calendar year. This will give us a better understanding of our visitors, from the information we receive we will see what type of people visit our area, where they travel from and how, they will highlight what we as a town are doing right and what we need to improve . . . I feel the findings will be of great interest. Similar surveys have already been completed in Brecon, Crickhowell and Talgarth, for the Hay survey there will be an incentive incorporated, after all when I am away I don't seem to have the time to fill in a questionnaire but if there were prizes up for grabs I'm sure I would make time! There were talks of York House B&B providing a nights free stay in the autumn, Drover Holidays were happy to provide a free cycling / walking trip . . . so if you are a shop or accommodation provider, please try to promote this survey, the results will improve us as tourist providers and we may not get a chance like this again.

A few people at the meeting had attended the TIB AGM and discussed the proposals of us working under the umbrella of the TIB (following on from our meeting in March), a positive response was received and the 'door remains open' on this.

It was discussed that Ian Parkin, a tourism consultant who had compiled the Tourism Promotion and Marketing Strategy in December 2001 should meet with our group to discuss his findings – this will probably be scheduled for autumn. I see this as good timing, from now until the end of the summer the sub-groups can continue with their tasks. In the autumn we can create new goals and really work hard to meet these before the easter holidays.

Someone mentioned how car parking is a problem with some of her guests. Although we as a group can not provide a new car park, an interesting point was made, ''did you know that the main car park in Hay, the one below the Craft Centre, creates more income than any other in Powys'', this surprised me as Hay is not the largest town in Powys, nor has it the largest car park, but come to think of it every time I pass the car park it is at least half full, and at weekends or holidays it is full – perhaps another car park is needed in Hay, not just for the tourists but for residents as well.

Has anyone heard of the Offa's Dyke Flyer? Up until last night I hadn't. Well it is a minibus service that runs from Hay to Capel-y-Ffin to Llanthony Priory to Llanfihangel Crucorney to Longtown to Craswell and back to Hay. It is run in the hope that those planning shorter or longer walks in the area round Offa's Dyke Path will use local transport and leave their car at home. This doesn't just need promoting to the visitors but also to us locals, this is right on our doorstop so we should be using it, improving our fitness and lightening our carbon footprint!

As a group we are making progress, each person involved is passionate about raising Hay's profile . . . if you have an idea or suggestion, please join in the forum on this site.

Our next meeting will be held in June and the Minutes of the Aprils meeting will be available soon.

Lisa Marie