A COUNCILLORS’ review group will look at how Oxford groups promoting tourism could innovate more and work around city residents.

About seven million tourists visit Oxford every year and tourism generates £780m for businesses.

The sector also supports about 14,000 jobs – or 12 per cent in the city.

However, overcrowding on pavements in the city centre, especially by large tourist groups, coaches parking over cycle lanes and insufficient seating need to be addressed, a council document says.

The composition of a city council working group looking into tourism across the city will be confirmed tonight, with work starting in November or December.

A report is likely to be delivered next April and the group is likely to hold six meetings.

It will also look at whether apps might be set up so tourists can use them on their trips.

It will not look at the impact of the Westgate Centre since its reopening in October.

That is being studied by the city council’s scrutiny committee in November.

But it will hear from experts including Laurie-Jane Taylor, the city council’s centre manager; Matt Peachey, the city council’s economic development manager; a representative of Experience Oxfordshire and an officer from Oxfordshire County Council’s transport and highways department.

Disability group representatives and Oxford Pedestrians Association will also be involved at some point.