press release 14 September 2016
VisitWiltshire launch new drone film as part of autumn campaign
VisitWiltshire is launching a new campaign and for the first time is focusing it solely on digital channels after recognizing customer needs with the shift in how they search for information.
As an integrated part of the campaign, VisitWiltshire is launching their second in a series of three drone films titled ‘Wiltshire’s been a special place for a very long time’ capturing fantastic aerial footage showcasing ‘Wiltshire from the air’. This was made possible by funding from the recent £5m South West Tourism Growth Fund and incorporates Wiltshire’s Timeless branding and aligns with VisitBritain’s Countryside is GREAT campaign.
Targeting the UK short-break escape market, Made of England… the England you love in one county positions Wiltshire as an ideal destination that is easy to get to for a well-deserved short break. It features beautiful gardens, events and festivals, arts and culture, accommodation, attractions and activities all under product themes timeless wonders, timeless pleasures, timeless places and timeless nature.
The campaign objectives aim to attract over £700,000 of visitor spend to the Wiltshire tourism economy, by raising awareness of the high quality and broad product offer, encouraging visitors to stay overnight in the county, particularly during out of season months.
The campaign will focus on driving people to the VisitWiltshire website with a bespoke landing page – www.visitwiltshire.co.uk/timeforwiltshire - and for the first time an inspirational digital lead generation campaign flyer will be distributed to over 200,000 people.
Additional campaign marketing activity includes targeted enewsletters to over 70,000 people, PR and extensive social media engagement on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter with a blog as well as competitions. Partnerships with VisitBritain and VisitEngland utilising their digital channels are sure to push the digital reach of this campaign even further.
Fiona Errington, Marketing Manager says, “Support for this campaign has been high as many of our partner businesses value the exposure they get through the digital channels which are a crucial part of their marketing strategies. VisitWiltshire aims to support these businesses to increase visitor numbers and spend particularly during out of season months.”
VisitWiltshire has been at the forefront of digital marketing in tourism with winning the best destination website in the Travelmole awards earlier this year and launching new internationally friendly website pages earlier this year. In addition, the first ‘Birds eye view of Wiltshire from the air’ drone film had a huge digital impact with an estimated reach of 700,000 people across many digital channels.
The new drone film shows stunning views across Wiltshire. This ‘eye in the sky’ footage makes you feel as though you are flying over Wiltshire and gives you views of a whole host of places like you’ve never seen them before.
Attractions and activities featured include Longleat, Salisbury Cathedral, Bowood, Abbey House Gardens, Stonehenge ATV, Wilton Windmill and Malmesbury Abbey.
Churches and monuments featured include St Leonard's Church in Sutton Veny, St Andrew's Church at Rollestone, St Mary's Church in Old Dilton and Cherhill Monument.
Significant landmarks include Stonehenge and Avebury, Old Sarum, Barbury Castle, Caen Hill Locks and some of Wiltshire’s famous White Horses.
Iconic views of Roundway Hill, Harnham Water-Meadows, Golden Ball Hill in the Vale of Pewsey and the Kennet & Avon Canal, Devizes are also featured.
To view the new film or to enter the competition and view the digital campaign leaflet please visit www.visitwiltshire.co.uk/timeforwiltshire
For further information or to arrange a press visit please contact Florence Wallace, Travel Trade & PR Manager, flowallace@visitwiltshire.co.uk Tel: 01722 341309 or 07436 588860
Notes to editors:
About VisitWiltshire
VisitWiltshire was established in August 2011 and is the official Destination Management & Marketing Organisation for Wiltshire representing over 650 partners. It is a public/private sector membership organisation with our main funder being Wiltshire Council. VisitWiltshire's priority is to grow the county's Visitor Economy by raising awareness of the destination and generating additional tourism visits and spend. Wiltshire's Visitor Economy currently generates an estimated £1.5billion and supports over 28,000 jobs.
This is the list of places included in the new drone film, in the order in which they are featured:
Stonehenge
Longleat
Harnham Water-Meadows
Salisbury Cathedral
Battlesbury Camp
Bowood
Mere
Wilton Windmill
Barbury Castle
Westbury White Horse
Roundway Hill
St Leonard's Church, Sutton Veny
Golden Ball Hill, Vale of Pewsey
St Andrew's Church, Rollestone
Old Sarum
Cherhill Monument
Avebury
Kennet & Avon Canal, near Devizes
St Andrew's Church, Rollestone
Abbey House Gardens
Caen Hill Locks
Stonehenge ATV
Malmesbury Abbey
Cherhill White Horse
St Mary's Church, Old Dilton
Stonehenge