Explore Wiltshire
Your Itinerary Planner
Welcome to the Itinerary Planner. Use this tool to build your own journey or choose from an exciting range of specially selected tours.
Blue Badge Guides Choose Wiltshire As Location For AGM
8 November 2011
The Institute of Guiding selected Salisbury as the location for their 2011 AGM, where from 2nd November Blue Badge Guides descended on the county to experience the history and culture of Wiltshire!
Over the course of two days the guides visited key attractions including Salisbury Cathedral, Stonehenge, Arundells and Mompesson House.
The group also enjoyed a special reception at Salisbury Guildhall.
Ahead of the main AGM a group of 19 students successfully passed the Institute of Tourist Guiding Level 4 Blue Badge examinations to qualify to guide in Wiltshire and the South West region. The coveted Blue Badges were presented by the Right Worshipful the Mayor of Salisbury, John Abbott, in the atmospheric surroundings of Salisbury Cathedral Refectory.
The Mayor was accompanied by the Mayoress and other guests included David Andrews (CEO VisitWiltshire), David Coulthard (Marketing & Communications Director, Salisbury Cathedral) and Margaret Smith (Chair of the Association of Wessex Tourist Guides). The event was sponsored by Don Cross of Wessexplore Tourist Services. The Blue Badge is the highest (Level 4) qualification awarded by the Institute
Chief executive of VisitWiltshire, David Andrews, points out it’s a great opportunity for Wiltshire: “Blue Badge Guides are known around the globe as among the very best tourist guides in the world, so it is a great privilege to welcome the Institute and their contingent of over 100 guides to Wiltshire. Blue Badge guides play a key role in influencing overseas and UK travel itineraries, so this has been a great opportunity to showcase the best of Salisbury, Stonehenge and Wiltshire product to them.”
The Institute of Tourist Guiding was created in 2002 to be the standard-setting and qualification body for Tourist Guiding. It is responsible for maintaining the very best in standards and quality and to accredit courses that meet those standards. It provides examinations for qualifications at three levels: Level 2, 3 and 4 to recognise the importance of training and development in the tourism industry. Please see www.itg.org.uk for more information
For more information about VisitWiltshire, Salisbury and hosting events in the region visit www.visitwiltshire.co.uk.
- ends –
For media information please contact Samantha Marsh or Ian Fulcher on 015395 30393, 07711 265666 or 07515 152699. Alternatively email samanthamarsh/ianfulcher@visitwiltshire.co.uk
Notes to editors:
VisitWiltshire Ltd was established in August 2011 and is the official Tourist Board for Wiltshire. It is a private sector membership organisation representing over 450 members. 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 over £1billion and supports over 20,000 jobs.
