Hello <<First Name>>
An Update From VisitWiltshire
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Latest Government Announcements
This week the government revealed plans for stricter social distancing measures and the 'Rule of Six' to be introduced from Monday 14 September. You can see the most relevant points to tourism and hospitality industry here.
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Familiarisation Passport
Earlier this year we approached partners to include an offer in the latest edition of our Familiarisation Passport. Due to the COVID-19 situation we took the decision to delay making this available as most businesses were forced to close. As most of our partners have now re-opened, we have decided to re-start the project. We have already contacted partners who had previously agreed their offers earlier this year. If you would like to contribute an offer to this edition of the Familiarisation Passport please let Billy know by Monday 17 September.
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New VisitWiltshire Partners
The team at VisitWiltshire would like to welcome the following new partners
Home Farm, Warminster
The Churchill, Wootton Bassett
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Keep Us Up to Date
If you have not already let us know your plans for re-opening, please send us details and dates to Billy or Helen. If you have been awarded ‘We’re Good to Go’ certification, please do let us know and we can update your listing. If you haven’t applied for certification yet, you can still do so for free by completing a self-assessment through the online platform.
Tell us about your upcoming events! We are beginning to see a renewed interest in the What’s on pages of the website. These are traditionally the most popular pages on the site. You can add your upcoming events here for free by filling out our simple website event form. We will also select events from here to promote in our monthly blogs and on social media.
If you would like to feature in a VisitWiltshire blog or contribute a guest blog, please get in touch with Helen to discuss possible topics and themes.
As always, please let Helen know if you have any messaging you would like us to promote on the VisitWiltshire social media channels. This could be news, offers or just fresh imagery you want to share!
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Autumn Campaign
We will be aligning our autumn campaign with the VisitEngland, Escape the Everyday autumn campaign. Activity will include a website landing page, social media, e-newsletter and PR. Please send over any relevant autumn themed content including breaks, special offers, activities, half term and holloween events to Helen and Holly by Wednesday 23 September.
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Trade Call Out
We are collating and distributing video content from suppliers to help reassure the trade and give further information about the reopening and COVID safe measures that are in place in your business/destination. Wiltshire video content can be viewed here and Great West Way video content here. If you have content that you would like us to share please send it to Helen to upload.
Are you planning on extending your season for trade bookings into autumn/winter? If you normally attract the trade but are currently not open for group bookings at this time please contact Flo as we may be able to help/advise.
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Travel Trade Meeting
We will be holding our next Travel Trade meeting on 15 September 2020, 2 - 4pm.
This meeting will take place on Zoom. If you are interested in joining this meeting please contact Flo.
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WAVA Meeting
Our next Wiltshire Association of Visitor Attractions Online Meeting is taking place on Tuesday 22 September 2020 at 2pm
There will be the usual updates on VisitWiltshire and Great West way activity. If you want to attend the meeting, please let Billy know by Friday 18 September. We will send the link to join the meeting and the agenda in due course.
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Salisbury Tourism Meeting
VisitWiltshire is holding a virtual Salisbury Tourism Meeting on Tuesday 29 September at 2pm. We will be giving update on VisitWiltshire activity and initial plans for recovery, and asking for updates from businesses. We will also be providing an update on the Salisbury Visual Identity and there will be a chance to feedback.
If you would like to attend the meeting please let Billy know by close of play Friday 25 September. We will send the link to join the meeting and the agenda in due course.
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Tourism ERDF Recovery Grants for SMEs
The SWLEP Growth Hub have now released details on how to apply for the ERDF grant programme we have highlighted previously. Applications will open from Monday 14 September with tourism SMEs being able to apply for capital grants of between £1,000 and £3,000. You can read more here. Further application and eligibility guidance will follow at the time the application window opens.
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Update on Guided Groups
The Government guidance on tour groups has been revised:
"Guided tours of up to 30 people may take place indoors or outdoors provided businesses undertake risk assessments in line with this guidance document and put any necessary mitigations in place." The tour guide, is still additional to the limit of 30 people. You can see more here.
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Industry Updates
The BDRC are tracking consumer sentiment on the impact of COVID-19 and producing weekly reports. You can see the latest report here.
The latest Consumer Sentiment Tracker from VisitBritain is available.
Hotel Solutions have published their latest ‘From Survival to Recovery’ update, providing the latest information about the impact of the COVID-19 on the UK hotel and visitor accommodation industry.
The latest ONS social study impact has been published with a number of key findings for tourism businesses. You can see more here.
VisitBritain has updated its forecast for inbound tourism in 2020. Their central prediction is that is for a decline of 73% in visits to 11.0 million and a decline of 79% in spending to £6.0 billion. This would represent a loss vs the pre-COVID forecast of 30.7 million visits and £24.0 billion spending. You can find out more here.
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Great West Way Travel Magazine
We are currently updating the digital version of our Great West Way Travel Magazine to more reflect the new normal. A always Wiltshire and the great product the county has to offer will be heavily featured throughout. If you have any artwork in the existing edition, you will have the chance to update it. If you have any news, new product or new events you would like us include please let us know by contacting Gavin.
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LEADER Funding Project
Through the Great West Way, Wiltshire tourism is now being featured in a series of new themed consumer and travel trade itineraries carrying our Be Responsible messaging. The Vale Action LEADER project joins up rural tourism along the Wiltshire and Berkshire sections of the Great West Way and has also resulted in some good new photography and video content. The itineraries will be published and distributed over the coming weeks, but here is a sneak peek at a couple of itineraries. Walking in North West Wiltshire (Trade Itinerary). Guide to Ancient Wonders (Consumer Itinerary).
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Great West Way PR
Over recent weeks have seen some great coverage for the Great West Way, and Wiltshire has featured throughout. Highlights include;
Lonely Planet
The Telegraph
Travolution
You can see all the latest coverage here
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Stay 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. You can also follow us on our @VisitWiltsBiz account for more updates.
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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