The latest Pulse survey from Bacta has shown a pronounced willingness amongst the membership to host elected representatives in their venues – the aim is to address perceived misconceptions and explain the dynamics of the business.
Bacta members are preparing to embark on a focussed campaign to help improve how the industry is understood by elected representatives.
Findings from the latest Bacta Pulse survey, revealed that 73 percent of members are willing to throw open their premises to constituency MPs and local councillors, offering them a first-hand look at how the industry and individual businesses operate.
Commenting on the latest survey results, Bacta President Joseph Cullis said: “When you combine these findings with last week’s Pulse survey, where members overwhelmingly expressed the view that the government doesn’t fully understand our sector, the way forward is clear: we will be contacting respondents to help arrange visits from their elected representatives, a move which would be particularly timely in the run-up to the holiday period.”
He continued: “We know that the upside of getting as many MPs as possible to visit venues located in their constituencies, that employ their constituents and that are owned by their constituents is immense.
“In terms of specifics, venue visits will help address the views of Bacta members who identified the biggest misconception held by politicians as being that AGCs and FECs cause high levels of harm (52 percent), that amusement and gaming businesses are not important to local economies (22 percent), that they make high profits (15 percent) and that they are poorly regulated (7 percent).
The survey also highlighted the positive economic impact made by Bacta members. According to the Pulse results, 77 percent of respondents said customers regularly travel from outside the local area to visit their venues, bringing additional spend which filters through the economy supporting jobs, creating additional employment opportunities, and contributing to the prosperity of local communities.
Reflecting on the findings Bacta’s Director of Communications Allaster Gair said: “As we approach the Easter break it’s extremely timely and important that policy makers recognise the role that Bacta members play in terms of adding to local/regional economies and keeping resorts both vibrant and healthy. With 89 percent of respondents confirming their businesses have been operating for more than 50-years this is something that Bacta members have been doing for generations.”
Ready for engagement
Joseph Cullis said… “We know that the upside of getting as many MPs as possible to visit venues located in their constituencies, that employ their constituents and that are owned by their constituents is immense…
