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VisitWiltshire Members Newsletter Issue 39, April 2011
The team here at VisitWiltshire would like to wish you all a very happy Easter, and hope it marks the start of a successful season for all. There are plenty of exciting events going on around the county over the next couple of weeks to keep your visitors busy, check out www.visitwiltshire.co.uk/site/whats-on for details.
MARKETING AND NETWORKING UPDATE
VisitWiltshire Ltd launch presentationsIt was really good to see so many of you at the events in Salisbury and Lackham recently, where we launched the exciting new plans for VisitWiltshire Ltd. The presentations began with the playing of our brand new radio ads. The announcement that we are to run full length adverts on the sides of buses in Greater London, and other significant areas was particularly well received. Sam Marsh from Infinity PR reminded members of the benefits she can offer, and gave examples of recent articles promoting the area in national newspapers and magazines. If you were unable to be at one of the events and would like to find out more please do not hesitate to contact any of the team.
VisitWiltshire Ltd launch presentations
It was really good to see so many of you at the events in Salisbury and Lackham recently, where we launched the exciting new plans for VisitWiltshire Ltd. The presentations began with the playing of our brand new radio ads. The announcement that we are to run full length adverts on the sides of buses in Greater London, and other significant areas was particularly well received. Sam Marsh from Infinity PR reminded members of the benefits she can offer, and gave examples of recent articles promoting the area in national newspapers and magazines. If you were unable to be at one of the events and would like to find out more please do not hesitate to contact any of the team.
PR Opportunity
Infinity Public Relations is working with VisitBritain on two media visits which will include Salisbury. We are looking for complimentary accommodation as follows
PR Opportunity
Infinity Public Relations is working with VisitBritain on two media visits which will include Salisbury. We are looking for complimentary accommodation as follows:
- Two nights on 2/3rd May for a writer and his wife from the New Zealand Herald. This is New Zealand's largest national newspaper. We'd be looking for complimentary accommodation in return for a write up in the paper.
- We're also looking for two nights accommodation for a Dutch writer. The dates are as yet unknown but we think he's planning on visiting in June. He's writing in an on-line magazine and anyone offering accommodation will be fully credited in the feature.
Any members who are interested in assisting please contact Samantha Marsh or Ian Fulcher for more information on 015395 30393 or samantha@infinitypublicrelations.co.uk or ian@infinitypublicrelations.co.uk.
Fam Passports - £300 of free entries
Over the next couple of weeks we will be sending out the 2011 Fam Passports to all members. These contain over £300 of free entries to many attractions around the county, and are designed to offer you the chance to visit these so that you are able to recommend them to your visitors with the confidence of personal experience. Thanks to all our attraction members who have generously participated. Please let us know how you used your Fam passport - we'd love to hear about your favourite visit!
Member Offer - stay at the Mayfield House Hotel
Inspired by the Fam Passport, Frank Segrave-Daly, proprietor of the Best Western Mayfield House Hotel, would like to offer VisitWiltshire members a £99 B&B deal, with free dinner for 2 on him. Frank has offered this to give members in other areas of the county the opportunity to visit the northern Wiltshire patch. Please contact the hotel to check availability, and book, reception@mayfieldhousehotel.co.uk.
New "East Wiltshire" Pocket Guide - make sure your property is publicised!
VisitWiltshire is starting work on a new Pocket Guide to cover the Avebury/Marlborough/Devizes/Pewsey/Calne area. The guide will contain 50% editorial and 50% member advertising. The content will cover food and drink establishments, retail, sport, leisure and attractions. 30 000 copies will be distributed in a large number of outlets around the county, as well as strategic points in a wide surrounding area. We will be mailing out an invitation to as many of these businesses as we can over the next month, but if you, or a business you work with, would like to guarantee a space in the guide please contact us so we can ensure you are on that list, theresahopwood@visitwiltshire.co.uk.
NEWS FROM AROUND THE COUNTY AND BEYOND
Latest Statistics from VisitEngland
The 2010 final year (domestic tourism results) are now available and show that the number of overnight domestic trips taken in England fell by 6% in 2010. December in particular was disappointing, with the severe winter weather leading to a 24% reduction in trip volumes compared to 2009. Taking a longer term view, there are wide variations by trip purpose with holiday trip activity remaining well above pre-recession levels. In contrast, business travel volumes declined slightly for a fourth consecutive year. The latest England Attractions Monitor shows that visitor numbers increased in October (+2%) and November (+7%) last year. However, as we would have expected, performance suffered in December (-15%), when severe winter weather affected travel across the whole country. Looking forward, although only one in five businesses expected Quarter 1 performance to improve on last year, 62% declared themselves to be very or quite optimistic about prospects for 2011 as a whole.
Bradford on Avon Welcomes Walkers!
Bradford on Avon has become the first "Walkers are Welcome" town in Wiltshire. It was granted this privileged status at the end of February. Walkers are Welcome is a network of over 60 towns and villages across the country. They have come together to strengthen their reputations as places for visitors to come to enjoy the outdoors through walking, bringing useful benefits to the local economy. Membership of the network also helps to ensure that footpaths and facilities are maintained in good condition, benefitting local people as well as visitors. Bradford on Avon Walkers are Welcome will be holding their launch event during the weekend of 21/22 May as part of the town's sports and activities week. Four local walks will take place, two on the Saturday and two on the Sunday, catering for all ages and abilities. They hope lots of people will take part in these. There is already great support for the scheme in the town, so look out for the Walkers are Welcome logo in the TIC, the Town Council offices, shops and accommodation providers.
Corsham are hoping to be the second Wiltshire town to obtain this recognition and are currently putting together their case.
Accommodation Availability Updates
At the two recent presentations we stressed the importance of updating your availability if you do not have an on-line booking facility, which is compatible with VisitWiltshire. Those of you in Salisbury may have done this through the Tourist Information Centre in the past; unfortunately, due to limited resources, they are no longer able to offer this service. If you need a reminder as to how to do this yourself Theresa would be happy to go through it with you, just email theresahopwood@visitwiltshire.co.uk.
Congratulations...
In this issue we are being self indulgent and congratulating ourselves! VisitWiltshire has recently been awarded the Committed to Excellence standard by the British Quality Foundation. The award recognises improvements made in three areas of the business, including Industry Engagement, which you will hopefully have been aware of.
New Members
We are very pleased to welcome the following new members to VisitWiltshire: Prospect House; The Methuen Arms and Taylors Guest House.
WHAT'S ON - a guide to just some of the events around the county in the next few weeks. Please visit the website to check details on these events and to find out about the many other things happening around Wiltshire, http://www.visitwiltshire.co.uk/site/whats-on
Longleat Easter Choc Trail22nd - 25th Aprilhttp://www.longleat.co.uk/
St George's Day Celebrations, Salisbury25th Aprilhttp://www.visitwiltshire.co.uk/site/whats-on/st-georges-day-celebrations-p159133
Swindon & Cricklade Railway: Shunters & Wheeltappers Weekend30th April - 2nd Mayhttp://www.visitwiltshire.co.uk/site/whats-on/swindon-and-cricklade-railway-shunters-and-wheeltappers-weekend-p1147323
Open Gardens: Sharcott Manor, Pewsey4th Mayhttp://www.visitwiltshire.co.uk/site/whats-on/open-gardens-sharcott-manor-p1197063
Dawn Chorus Walk, Trowbridge7th Mayhttp://www.visitwiltshire.co.uk/site/whats-on/dawn-chorus-walk-p1218543
