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News and Events
VISITWILTSHIRE NEWS & UPDATES
Latest VisitWiltshire News
Travel Trade Update
New Activity Plan and Travel Trade Opportunities
A new DRAFT Tactical Activity Plan for 2020 has just been issued to VisitWiltshire Travel Trade group members. We are asking for feedback or comments before 24 July, after which date we will be confirming this plan and associated activity.
Now is a great time to get involved. You can view 2019/2020 Travel Trade Opportunities which include the events and exhibitions we plan to attend including World Travel Market, ITB Berlin and Vakantiebeurs amongst others..
If you are interested in attending any of these trade events, or wish to join the travel trade group please contact Flo.
Salisbury Update
To find out more detail on the work that took place last year you can see our activity report and also examples of the coverage received here.
Additional VisitWiltshire News
2020 Publications
We are now taking bookings. We are now taking bookings for advertising in our 2020 publications. Details of all the options can be found here and for all new or upgraded bookings confirmed and paid for by 31 July 2019 we are pleased to offer a 15% discount - contact Billy and book now to avoid disappointment.
Calling all attraction and town partners - submit your 2020 events
Attraction and Town partners are invited to submit up to 6 events for possible inclusion in the events calendars within our 2020 printed publications. Ideally, we would like both the name of the event and the exact 2020 date(s) but failing that please send Billy the name of the event and the month in which it takes place. The deadline is 31 July.
Towns and Villages Map
Our latest Towns and Villages map is now ready to order here and you can also view it online here. The map is once again on Z-card format and will have a distribution throughout the county and surrounding areas.
Ordering Bulk Supples of VisitWiltshire Brochures
It's that time of year again where visitors to your business may wish to pick up VisitWiltshire publications. If you are interested in offering these to your customers please note that bulk supplies of our 2019 Visitor Guide, Visitor Map can be ordered from our distributors, Pear Distribution. Just visit the webpage here and you will be able to place your order. There is no charge, as the distribution is paid for by VisitWiltshire.
Accommodation Providers Please Update your Availability
If you are an accommodation provider please can you ensure you are updating your availability. Failure to do so may mean you do not appear in visitors’ searches on our website. If you need a reminder how to do this or your login details, then please contact Billy.
Supplier Partner Offers
Partners are reminded that there are a number of business benefits available to them from our Supplier Partners, including translation services, online booking, tax advice and virtual tours. More details available here.
Blogs
Don't forget to take a look at our latest blogs here.
Content for Press Releases
Please note that the VisitWiltshire website will feed content for press releases so if please make sure you have filled in the events form in order to have the chance to be included! See our latest press releases here.
VisitWiltshire Photo Library
Our online photo library is an excellent resource, both for our partners to use, and also for promoting partner businesses to journalists, bloggers, tour operators, group organisers etc. If you would like images of your business to be included in the library please send high resolution jpegs to Billy. The current album list is available to view here - please contact us to request links.
Industry News
VisitEngland / VisitBritain Research
Pink Book Updated
VisitBritain have updated their Pink Book, which details all of the legal obligations and provides guidance for running an accommodation business – from food hygiene and health and safety to obtaining entertainment and alcohol licences.
Job Opportunity
Bath and North East Somerset Council are looking for a maternity cover Heritage Marketing Manager for 12 months.
Give your Feedback on English Tourism Week
Markets & Segments
Find out where visitors are coming from, what they do when they're here and how much they spend.
Research
Accessibility Guide launched - To help you market your business to those with accessibility requirements (e.g. people with hearing loss, visual or mental impairment, wheelchair users, older people and families with young children). This information will help you stand out from the crowds as customers will choose where to stay and visit based on their accessibility requirements. Find out more here.
Business Advice Hub - Find practical information on where to get help for start up businesses, understand your legal obligations, explore the online marketing toolkit and much more. For further information click here.
VisitEngland Quality Assessment Scheme News
VisitEngland have awarded the AA contract to run the VisitEngland Quality Assessment Schemes under licence for the next three years (trading as VisitEngland Assessment Services). The VisitEngland Quality Assessment Schemes will remain separate to the AA’s existing assessment schemes. Participants will continue to be able to choose between the VisitEngland and AA accommodation schemes. All current ratings, logos, marques and accolades remain unchanged. If you have any queries regarding the VisitEngland schemes please call 01256 491111 or email VisitEnglandAssessmentServices@theAA.com
GREAT WEST WAY
VisitWiltshire Secures £1m Discover England Funding to Develop the Great West Way
VisitWiltshire has been successful in securing £1m over two years from the Discover England Fund to develop the Great West Way into a premier touring route between London and Bristol. The press release can be viewed here and background information on the project is available here. The next step is await receipt of the Grant Offer Letter and an inception meeting with VisitBritain/VisitEngland. Many thanks for your ongoing support and we will communicate further information regarding the project in due course.
South West Tourism Growth Fund
The VisitWiltshire team have been working in conjunction with other SW destinations, leading on the Travel Trade strand of the £5m South West Tourism Growth Fund action plan. We have delivered an extensive programme of international travel trade activity.
This has included exhibiting at many of the key international exhibitions, hosting over 180 representatives from international tour operators on familiarisation visits to South West England. This included 50 operators who attended a large Showcase South West event, bringing international buyers and suppliers together for one to one business meetings, with over 1,250 meetings taking place in total.
We created two new resources – the first ever South West England Travel Trade Directory for international travel trade and A Guide for Working with the International Travel Trade for South West Businesses. In addition we ran a series of business development workshops across the South West.
There has been research into the international travel trade of which findings will give direction for destinations and SW suppliers on working with the international travel trade in future. The report can be found here.
With over 1,200 new contacts Team South West have developed a new CRM system which will ensure the efficiency of further communication with the travel trade in the future.
If you require any further information or would like hard copies of the resources please contact Flo.
VisitWiltshire Partners' Newsletters are published on a fortnightly basis and cover essential and useful information for all those involved in tourism in Wiltshire. Sign up to our regular Partner e-newsletters here.
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