Hello <<First Name>>
An update from VisitWiltshire
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New COVID-19 Impact Survey
In this NEW version of our coronavirus tourism industry business survey, we are focusing on identifying any issues you are having with accessing support, and asking for your views on priorities for the national tourism recovery plan.
Our previous feedback has helped shape Government support for tourism, and the results of our survey will be fed back to VisitBritain, DCMS, the Tourism Industry Emergency Response Group and the Tourism Alliance.
The additional questions added this time are about how best to support the tourism industry when we get to recovery stage will help shape VisitWiltshire’s submission to the All-Party Parliamentary Group for Hospitality and Tourism and their ‘Pathways to Recovery’ inquiry.
Thank you in advance for taking the time to complete this survey. Your responses will be treated as confidential.
The deadline to complete this survey is Monday 27 April 2020.
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Government Support
Partners who qualify, should have received information from Wiltshire Council on how to apply for the Small Business grant scheme and Retail & Hospitality grant scheme. VisitWiltshire also followed this up with an email, sent on Friday 3 April. The first payments of the grants have started to be received. If you are having trouble with applying for or accessing these grants, please get in touch. You can find more about business support and the grants on the Wiltshire Council website and if you have any issues or queries they have set up a dedicated email address; Covid-19BusinessSupport@wiltshire.gov.uk
A number of Wiltshire businesses may have also been applying for the variety of Businesses Loans Schemes that have been introduced by the government. Once again, if you are unclear on your eligibility to apply or are having difficulties accessing these loans at any stage please keep VisitWiltshire informed and we will feed it back to the relevant authority.
A new ‘support finder’ tool has been launched to help businesses and self-employed people across the UK to determine what financial support is available to them during the COVID-19 pandemic.
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New Social Media Campaign
This week, we’ve launched the second social media post in our ongoing campaign on Instagram, and as of this week, on Facebook. The aim of the campaign is to raise awareness of businesses in Wiltshire during the pandemic and to help drive people to their social media pages. We also want to offer inspiration to those planning a trip in the future. Since the launch of this social media campaign, we have received support from VisitEngland and a number of influencers on Instagram, as well as a lot of interest from local media. To date we have secured coverage on BBC Wiltshire, Spire FM’s website, Wiltshire Times and Travolution, Travel Weekly’s sister website. You can see the press release on the initial campaign and download the template to post on your own Instagram story here.
In this second social media post we’re asking people to tag the accounts of their favourite shopping destination, museum, festival or event, and theatre. This is in addition to the first post when we asked people to nominate their favourite place to eat, visit, stay and grab a drink.
To participate, go to our Instagram page and screenshot the template in our story. Post this image to your personal Instagram page and tag your favourite businesses. Don’t forget to tag us and nominate a friend! Or alternatively, visit our Facebook page and tag the pages of your favourite businesses in the comment section.
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#ProtectTourismJobs
VisitWiltshire are supporting the national #ProtectTourismJobs campaign that is being orchestrated by BH&HPA (British Holiday & Home Parks Association) and the Tourism Alliance campaign. The aim of the campaign is to lobby Government to make sure coronavirus support packages fairly protect tourism jobs. For example, encouraging government to look again at the Job Retention Scheme in relation to seasonal workers and essential security/maintenance of park grounds; ensuring a level playing field for accommodation providers, and ensuring tourism businesses aren’t disadvantaged in applying for grants or business interruption loans.
Please let us know if you have any issues accessing any of the government support programmes.
You can support the campaign by using the hashtag #ProtectTourismJobs.
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Keep Up-To-Date
There is a COVID-19 advice page on the VisitWiltshire website for businesses. The page details the latest government guidance, information from travel authorities and some useful resources. We are regularly updating this page with the latest information.
VisitWiltshire Advice Page
The page also includes the latest research carried out by VisitEngland/VisitBritain and the details of the various grants, loans and support for businesses being provided by the government.
If you are still unclear on what support you are entitled to, please don’t hesitate to contact Billy and he will ensure it reaches the relevant channels.
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Virtual Wiltshire
We have recently created a Take a Virtual Trip to Wiltshire web page in which we are attempting to bring to Wiltshire to the public. The page contains videos, virtual tours, and activities that people can watch and interact with during the lockdown. If you have anything that would fit this page, please send it to Helen. We have also created Virtual Trip pages for both Salisbury and Great West Way®.
Good News Stories
During these dark and uncertain times everybody is looking for something to cheer them up and we are hearing some happy, inspiring and funny stories. We would love to hear any stories you may have like this and share them with potential visitors to Wiltshire. Please send your stories to Helen.
Open Businesses & Online Activities
We have recently added a new 'Open Businesses in Wiltshire' page on the website. This details businesses that are still running in some capacity, whether offering take-away and food delivery or available for online orders. We are also highlighting businesses who are engaging with consumers digitally during lockdown by sharing recipes, arts and crafts, home schooling ideas, gardening, online events and other digital activities. If you have content you think would be suitable, know of any businesses that are offering special services or any useful sites/pages that detail which services are available in local areas please let Helen know.
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VisitWiltshire wants to reassure all partners and tourism businesses that we are here to help with any queries or issues you may be having. To help you find the right person to contact, here are the teams details.
If you are unsure who to contact, please contact Billy in the first instance.
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