Press Release 28 June 2017
VisitWiltshire Launches Showcase South West Trade Event
VisitWiltshire have launched a Showcase South West trade event taking place in Bristol from 27 – 29 November.
The two day event being led by VisitWiltshire and run in partnership with Destination Bristol and other South West Destination Management Organisations will welcome international and domestic wholesale B2B buyers who wish to find out about new product and meet with suppliers to offer additional bookable product to their customers.
The programme includes a Gala dinner at The Harbour Hotel & Spa whilst At-Bristol Science Centre will host the B2B one-to-one networking workshop. This is where buyers will meet a range of tourism related suppliers who want to increase their travel trade business via wholesale operators.
It is expected that 2,400 meetings will take place between buyers and tourism suppliers from all sectors including destinations (DMOs), attractions, tour guides, activities, accommodation and food and drink providers from across South West England.
DMOs and trade suppliers attending will be from Bath, Bristol, Cornwall, Cotswolds, Forest of Dean, Devon, Plymouth, Isles of Scilly, South Somerset, Taunton and Wiltshire.
Following the networking meeting day, buyers will be escorted to their pre-selected destination for their familiarisation visit. They will gain first-hand experience of the product particularly suitable for group and FIT markets, with a view to add to itineraries and sell.
Florence Wallace, VisitWiltshire Travel Trade Manager said, “VisitWiltshire are delighted to be leading on this project. This is a legacy from the South West Tourism Growth Fund project so we’re maintaining the focus on growing international business to the region and this year we are expanding to include key domestic wholesalers as well.”
This is a fully hosted, free of charge, programme for buyers which includes travel to and from London, accommodation, B2B workshop and the familiarisation visit. Suppliers are charged £125 per person/appointment schedule.
The event is supported by GWR who are sponsoring the train travel for buyers from London and through the region.
The Showcase South West event has been specifically designed to showcase the very best of what South West England has to offer. Tour operators and wholesale buyers or South West England suppliers can sign up by registering their details at www.etoa.org/showcasesouthwest
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 is the official Destination Management & Marketing Organisation for Wiltshire representing 600 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 29,000 jobs.
Trade press are welcome to attend. Please contact flowallace@visitwiltshire.co.uk to book your place.