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 | Lynne Finnigan (right), Tourism Adviser, Business Link, meeting with the owners of the 4 Star B&B The Vines, Great Cressingham |
Norfolk Tourism Annual Review - Postponed
Please note the Annual Review planned for 26 January 2012 has been postponed, a revised date will be announced in due course.
Norwich Ambassador Scheme 2012
The last Norwich Ambassador Scheme session of 2011 took place at The Assembly House in October, following other 2011 sessions at The Forum, St James Mill, and Dragon Hall. Every session was overwhelmingly popular, and as a result, details of four more sessions to take place in 2012 have been announced.
The SHAPING 24 project, which aims to create ambassadors for the city of Norwich by reinforcing a culture of pride and enthusiasm, and encouraging the provision of consistent, high quality, accurate information about the city and its heritage, has been a remarkable success since its beginnings in 2010. Roughly 150 local people have taken part in the scheme, among them accommodation staff, taxi drivers, shop staff and general members of the public.
As always, the four 2012 sessions will take place at Norwich 12 buildings. The dates are as follows:
Tuesday 17 January 2012 – Norwich Cathedral, 1015 - 1345
Tuesday 17 April 2012 – Dragon Hall, 1615 - 1945
Tuesday 17 July 2012 – Cathedral of St John the Baptist, 1015 – 1345
Tuesday 16 October 2012 – The Forum, 1015 – 1345
Each session is interactive and provides an overview of Norwich’s tourism industry, its heritage and culture. Sessions cost £25 per person and include a light buffet with all attendees receiving a programme pack to take away.
To book, contact Jo Archer at joarcher@heritagecity.org or call 01603 599576.
Get involved in English Tourism Week 2012!
2012 will see the first English Tourism Week 2012 (ETW12), a week-long celebration of events, from 10th-18th March, to showcase the value of our industry to our local communities and to the national economy.
Businesses and organisations all over England are invited to get involved and VisitEngland has created a new website to provide you with all the tools and information you need to get started. This includes event and activity ideas and a brand toolkit containing posters, logos and email and web banners for your use.
There are so many ways for you to get involved whether it be; running an event or activity; publicising ETW12 through your website, newsletters and mailings; branding an existing event as part of ETW12; or displaying ETW12 posters, so please take a look at the website today and show your support for English Tourism Week 2012 - http://www.visitengland.org/england-tourism-industry/etw/index.aspx.
News from VisitBritain: New industry toolkit to invite customers, friends and relatives to Britain
VisitBritain have launched an industry toolkit to help you to invite your past customers, friends and relatives from around the world to visit Britain in 2012, as part of the ‘GREAT Britain - You're Invited’ marketing programme. Under the slogan ‘Share Your GREAT Britain’, their online tourism industry toolkit is available free of charge to help you participate in, and benefit from, the campaign. The toolkit includes adverts, newsletter templates, posters and e-cards which you can personalise with your own message and tailor for your own use.
For more information on the toolkit go to http://www.visitbritain.org/opportunitiesadvice/getinvolved/vfrtoolkit.aspx
Conference to offer insight into £2bn accessible travel industry
A free conference has been organised for the industry to give insight on how to gain new business from people with disabilities - a market worth £2bn a year in domestic travel alone.
Research by VisitEngland revealed that the demand for travel and leisure products from disabled people is growing, and the conference – organised by charity Tourism for All and Open Britain, a website for all disability travel information in the UK – aims to offer tips on how to tap into the market and to maximise opportunities, particularly in the build up to the Olympic and Paralympic Games next year.
Speakers include Dame Tanni Grey-Thompson, Loyd Grossman and Magnus Berglund of Scandic Hotels and the event will be chaired by Mark Lewis, editor of Caterer and Hotelkeeper.
The conference takes place on 24 January at The BT Centre in London. For more information see https://www.tourismforall.org.uk/A_Market_to_Win_2012_conference_announcement.pdf. To register your interest, email info@tourismforall.org.uk.
2012 EDP Larking Gowen Tourism Business Survey
Norfolk’s biggest industry sector demands a significant piece of research to help tourism businesses and organisations to benchmark themselves, gain a greater understanding of the issues affecting the sector, and to help the industry lobby for support it really needs. The Annual EDP Larking Gowen Tourism Business Survey will encourage tourism businesses to express their views on key areas such as investment, capacity, promotion, environment, employment and the Olympics. This year’s survey will include new questions – the issue of VAT for tourism businesses in the UK. The survey is now live and can be completed online or by requesting a pdf copy. The survey findings will be presented during English Tourism Week in March 2012.
If you are a tourism business owner or operator we value your input and we need you to take part to make this a worthwhile piece of data. You will of course be able to get hold of the survey results in March 2012. To take part please go to www.edp24.co.uk/tourismsurvey.
Closing date for completing the survey is 29 January 2012
Norfolk Towns and Villages - London 2012 Olympic Torch Relay Route
Twelve Norfolk towns and villages have been chosen for the London 2012 Olympic Torch Relay Route.
On July 4, the Olympic Torch will pass through King's Lynn, South Wootton, West Rudham, East Rudham, Fakenham, Holt, Cromer and Aylsham, ending in Norwich for a special celebration event in Chapelfield Gardens that evening. On the morning of July 5 the Olympic Torch will travel to Hethersett High School for a special event, before heading through Norwich, Acle, Filby and Great Yarmouth and then south into Suffolk. The street by street details will be confirmed next year.
Lydia Smith, Director Norfolk Tourism said: "The London 2012 Olympic Torch Relay will be an exciting and memorable occasion showcasing Norfolk to a national and international audience, as it passes through some of our key tourism destinations - King's Lynn and West Norfolk, North Norfolk Coast, Norwich, the Broads and Great Yarmouth. The county will be looking at its best with local communities thronging the route to welcome the Torch and support the Torchbearers."
James Carswell, Norfolk County Council's Cabinet member for Cultural Services said: " This announcement is great news for Norfolk and follows a lot of hard work to ensure the that the Olympic Torch Relay doesn't pass us by. This really is a once in a lifetime opportunity to see the Olympic Torch being run through Norfolk and I'm sure not just the communities on route, but residents from right across Norfolk will be excited by this news."
Image (c) LOCOG
Promote Norfolk as a 2012 destination - use the 2012 Tourism Business Toolkit
Norfolk Tourism has published a 2012 Tourism Business Toolkit aimed at helping the county’s tourism industry to capitalise on the 2012 Games. Sponsored by Norfolk County Council with the key message, ‘Visit Norfolk – Closer than you think to London’, the toolkit includes fact sheets with key information about London 2012, and including key marketing messages and suggestions on customer care to help businesses prepare for the Games.
The toolkit can be downloaded free from www.2012.ntqt.co.uk, and businesses will also find information at www.visitnorfolk2012.com, the website promoting the County as a destination for visitors to the Games. Images of Norfolk are also available to use at www.visitnorfolk.co.uk/2012Images.
Many thanks to all the businesses and organisations who have downloaded and are using the logo and messages, including Carricks at Castle Farm and Hunter's Hall (both offering early breakfasts and packed lunches for guests going to the Games), East View Farm and Cranmer Country Cottages. If you are using the Toolkit and offering special services for 2012 guests, please do let us know so that we can promote these as part of the Visit Norfolk 2012 campaign - email janet.robertson@visit.norfolk.gov.uk with details.
News from VisitBritain: Supporting your business to make the most of 2012
Next year is approaching fast, and with it comes a plethora of events such as the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee and the London Olympic and Paralympic Games.
VisitBritain's new Global Marketing Opportunities brochure illustrates how they can help your business, from market insights to sales missions and digital marketing.
Download the VisitBritain 2012 Global Marketing Opportunities Brochure
Lloyds TSB launches new guides to help UK businesses in the run up to London 2012
With less than one year to go to London 2012, the Lloyds TSB Games Time Ready Guide has been designed to provide businesses with information and key insights into how to prepare to take advantage of the opportunities – and overcome any challenges – that London 2012 will bring.
Featuring interviews with other London 2012 partners and organisations, the guide contains a number of key sections with checklists that businesses can work through. The areas covered include security, technology, people, transport, legacy and lessons from the Vancouver 2010 Winter Olympic and Paralympic Games.
To download the Games Time Ready Guide and to find out how Lloyds TSB can help your business on the journey to London 2012 and beyond, visit: www.lloydstsbbusiness.com/london2012
News from VisitBritain: Prime Minister launches drive to maximise the economic potential of the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games
The new ‘GREAT’ campaign, launched on Wednesday 21 September in New York, will focus on everything the UK has to offer as one of the very best places to visit, study, work, invest and do business. It provides a co-ordinated approach for promoting the UK in the run up to the London 2012 Olympic & Paralympic Games and beyond – it will allow Britain to speak with one voice about the opportunities to invest in the UK and help attract millions of visitors.
‘GREAT’ Britain centres on areas of British excellence covering reasons to visit and invest in the UK. These areas are: innovation, entrepreneurs, creativity, knowledge, green, heritage, sport, music, countryside and shopping.
Tourism will be a key part of the ‘GREAT’ campaign and the campaign is a welcome opportunity for VisitBritain to work alongside other key organisations to promote the best of Britain and highlight why this is the only place to be in 2012. The already successful "Britain - You're Invited" programme - part of our drive to see an extra £2 billion being spent across Britain by four million additional overseas visitors over the next four year - is evolving into "Great Britain - You're Invited" to integrate with the wider Government initiative.
Find out more at http://www.visitbritain.org//aboutus/marketing/greatcampaign/index.aspx
News from VisitEngland - Message from James Berresford
This month Jeremy Hunt, Secretary of State announced £3 million from the Olympic budget is to be used to boost domestic tourism in 2012 and beyond, in a drive to maximise the economic legacy of the London 2012 Olympic & Paralympic Games for the whole country. The funding will kick start VisitEngland’s new marketing campaign which will ensure the full potential of the Olympics, the Torch Relay, the Diamond Jubilee, the Cultural Olympiad and all the events of 2012 are showcased across the whole nation, highlighting our world-renowned history and heritage; pristine national parks, market and coastal towns and vibrant metropolitan cities. The campaign seeks to generate an additional 5.3m short break nights in England and an incremental spend of £480 million by 2015. VisitEngland are delighted to be working with the Government on this campaign and further details will be available in due course.
Invite your guests to return to Norfolk in 2012 - Accommodation cards
With the 2012 Games only a year away it is more important than ever to make sure that the industry in Norfolk works together to encourage this seasons guests to return to Norfolk in 2012. Accommodation cards (please note this is a low resolution version) have been designed to encourage this season's guests to return to Norfolk in 2012 whether they have tickets for the games or whether they wish to get away from all, using the key marketing messages from the 2012 Tourism Toolkit. The idea is that the cards are handed out with receipts when your guests are checking out. We are inviting accommodation providers to get involved in this campaign and asking for a small contribution to cover the cost of design/production (minimum order 250 for £25).
Taking part in this campaign will help us all to promote Norfolk as a great place to stay in 2012 and with an estimated value of up to £2.9 billion to the UK from the Games its well worth us all being prepared and communicating the message to this years customers.
If you would like to order some cards please contact Louisa Kiddell (01603) 222846 or louisa.kiddell@visit.norfolk.gov.uk.
New Anglia LEP Enterprise Zone for Great Yarmouth and Lowestoft
The New Anglia Local Enterprise Partnership expressed its delight after its bid for an Enterprise Zone covering six sites in Great Yarmouth and Lowestoft was given the green light by the Government. Business and local authority leaders predicted the Enterprise Zone will transform Great Yarmouth and Lowestoft, with significant benefits for the rest of Norfolk and Suffolk.
New Anglia’s Enterprise Zone is designed to capitalise on the area’s leading position in the energy sector. It is aims to create up to 2,000 jobs and attract 80 businesses by 2015 and 13,500 jobs and 200 businesses over the 25 year lifetime of the zone.
New Anglia’s Enterprise Zone will benefit from simplified planning rules and a business rate discount for new and expanding businesses.
In addition any increase in business rates will be retained by the Local Enterprise Partnership to support economic development across Norfolk and Suffolk – which could generate tens of millions of pounds over the next 25 years and create more than 10,000 additional jobs in the two counties.
The submission from the New Anglia LEP was developed by public-private partnership the Norfolk and Suffolk Energy Alliance (NSEA)
NSEA includes Norfolk County Council, Suffolk County Council, Waveney District Council, Great Yarmouth Borough Council, the Chambers of Commerce and the East of England Energy Group.
Copies of the New Anglia LEP Enterprise Zone bid document showing maps and pictures of the sites are available at www.newanglia.co.uk under downloads, New Anglia Enterprise Zone.
Join the National Accessible Scheme and see your business grow!
Membership of the National Accessible Scheme (NAS) has grown by one third (33%) over the last two years. More and more tourism accommodation businesses are improving and promoting their true level of accessibility to enjoy a share of a market worth over £2bn.
Now, the NAS is more cost effective with renewal fees reduced to a nominal amount. VisitEngland quality scheme members can have an Access assessment carried out at the same time as their Quality assessment.
For more information, visit www.visitengland.com/nas, download the NAS information pack (1.54mb), call 0845 300 6996 or email qualityintourism@uk.g4s.com.
EDP Larking Gowen Tourism Survey 2011
Are businesses still investing? Is the internet being used to good effect? Is the Olympics now on their radar? What impact is the economy having? The Larking Gowen-EDP survey results take the temperature of the Norfolk tourism sector's health.
Chris Scargill, tourism and leisure partner at Larking Gowen, says "Larking Gowen Chartered Accountants and Business Advisors recognise the importance of tourism to East Anglia. This surveys is intended to provide a useful benchmark and we hope that the information provided is useful to you. If you would like to discuss your business and how it interacts with the findings of this survey, please do not hesitate to contact us." Chris Scargill can be contacted on 0845 4081732 or email chris.scargill@larking-gowen.co.uk.
Download the EDP Larking Gowen Tourism Survey 2011 Results PDF (1.37mb)
New Government Tourism policy published
The Government’s Tourism Policy was published on 4 March 2011. The policy confirms the importance of tourism to the economy and provides a blue print to grow the industry and create new jobs. The document also recognises the importance of VisitBritain's marketing and advisory role, particularly in the delivery of a four-year match funded marketing programme which takes advantage of the unique opportunity of the Royal Wedding, the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee and the 2012 Games to showcase Britain. Key elements of the policy include:
- Consulting on whether to lengthen the tourism season by moving the first Bank Holiday in May to create either a new St George’s Day holiday in England (St David’s Day in Wales), or a Trafalgar Day bank holiday in the autumn half term;
- Helping improve staff skills in the sector;
- Making tourist visas simpler, easier and faster to obtain;
- Repairing market failure by modifying the existing Tourist Boards to become smaller, highly focused, industry-led partnerships;
- Broadening Britain’s tourism offer by creating alternative destinations which match London, to capture the spare tourism capacity and potential of other parts of the country;
- Helping the industry prepare for changes in technology;
- Creation of an industry task force, led by senior industry figures, to cut red tape.
For more information download the full policy document from the DCMS site (PDF 1.1mb)
Coast Alive! Walks bring a breath of fresh air to North Norfolk businesses
Tourist accommodation providers in North Norfolk are invited to apply for a supply of local walks book for guests to borrow during their visit. People walking the long-distance coast path are a boon to local businesses, and there is every reason to believe that visitors enjoying these short local walks will also bring tourist pounds to the area.
The final in the series of four Coast Alive walks books will be launched on the 22 March in Wells-next-the-Sea. This booklet of 12 walks in the Wells and Fakenham area builds on the success of earlier books for Cromer and Sheringham, Great Yarmouth and Kings’ Lynn.
Around 60 small and medium sized businesses have already applied for copies of the Cromer and Sheringham book and Carrie Kerry, Health Walks Project Officer for Norfolk County Council, is now looking to sign up accommodation providers in the Wells and Fakenham area for this final set of walks. “The initial concept was to promote a healthier lifestyle to local people through regular walking," she said. "However, the books have proved so popular with visitors that we would like to explore the benefit walking brings to small businesses close to the promoted routes”.
If you would like to host a supply either of the Wells and Fakenham or the Cromer and Sheringham Coast Alive! books please contact: carrie.kerry@norfolk.gov.uk. The books are also available on line; visit http://www.countrysideaccess.norfolk.gov.uk/health-walks.aspx.
VisitEngland Statement regarding Star Ratings
"Dear tourism colleague,
Over the last few days, you may well have read or heard coverage in the national media regarding the future of the star ratings scheme. Indeed some of you have commented on industry forums. VisitEngland has released the following statement which we hope clarifies the situation.
In response to recent media coverage on the future of the star ratings scheme James Berresford, VisitEngland’s Chief Executive, commented:
“We are committed to ensuring visitors experience the best quality on offer in this country. As long as the national Quality Assessment Scheme remains beneficial to the industry, VisitEngland will continue to support it and ensure that it evolves to meet the needs of the industry and consumers.
The VisitEngland Quality Assessment scheme currently has 24,000 members and is one of the most reputable and robust accommodation schemes in the world. The scheme adheres to The Common Standards which brought together accommodation schemes from the AA as well as the other national tourist boards in Britain in 2005. Recent research show, 76 per cent of us make use of star ratings when choosing accommodation. From research undertaken with the industry we know that 3 in 4 claim membership to the scheme helps improve business.
Customer expectations and industry practices do change and we are currently looking at modernising the scheme to address this. As such and in line with the Tourism Minister’s aspirations, we are to review schemes ensuring they are independent of Government funding and that they are fit for purpose for the 21st Century consumer. The use of social media and user generated content will be key to this process. It’s clear from our research that the consumer of today is web savvy and uses a number of methods to aid purchasing decisions.
I believe there is a place for the star rated scheme as it offers consumers the endorsement of the national tourist board. This is as valuable a benchmark as reviews from consumers online and can be used in tandem to make a decision that is right for the consumer.”
If you have any comments or reactions we would be glad to receive these via the following email address: Quality.EdgeExtra@visitengland.org
Jeremy Brinkworth
Head of Business Development, VisitEngland
'At Your Service' - new tourism booklet on the Accessible market from VisitEngland
The most comprehensive business case for accessible tourism in England by VisitEngland. The booklet, entitled ‘At Your Service’, has been created through a joint partnership between the Government’s Accessible Tourism Stakeholder Forum and VisitEngland with the aim of inspiring tourism businesses to improve accessibility for customers in the lead up to the London 2012 Olympic Games & Paralympic Games.
Around 11 million people in England have an impairment of some kind whether they are wheel chair users, have poor vision, hearing loss or learning difficulties. Overseas, there are potentially 78 million American and 75 million European disabled visitors, friends and family. For the first time, the real value of overnight trips in England by both UK residents and international visitors who have a health condition or impairment has been recorded. These combined figures reveal a lucrative market worth over £2 billion.
The booklet identifies small changes that are easy to implement, including an easy to follow ‘Map through access’ showing how to get started, and how to make small adjustments to facilities, provide useful information on accessibility and understand the needs of disabled people.
VisitEngland provides a number of tools and resources to help tourism operators accommodate people with access needs including the ‘At your service’ booklet, available to view and download now at www.visitengland.com/access.
VisitEngland launches new online Access Statement tool
VisitEngland has launched a new online tool to make it easier for tourism businesses to create an Access Statement.
This free tool now offers bespoke guidance according to the business type and in doing so provides operators with the information they need to create a robust Access Statement.
For more information, go to http://www.visitengland.com/accessstatements
World Host - National campaign launched to boost customer service levels in readiness for the 2012 Games (news from VisitBritain)
People 1st – the sector skills council for the hospitality, leisure, tourism and travel (HLTT) industries – has a new campaign to train 200,000 hospitality and tourism staff ahead of the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games, and other world-class events being hosted in the UK over the coming years, such as the 2014 Ryder Cup and Commonwealth Games, and the 2015 Rugby World Cup.
The WorldHost training programme aims to raise the standard and delivery of customer service training in the UK and ensure the softer skills needed to welcome the world are in place for 2012 and beyond.
Find out more >>
New logo available to signatories of Fair Pricing and Practice Charter
The ‘Committed to Fair Pricing’ logo is now available to all businesses registered for the UK Fair Pricing and Practice Charter. The logo may be used on your website, marketing promotions and press releases as proof of your commitment to fair pricing and trading practices during 2012.
Once you are signed up to the Charter you will be given access to the logo in a number of web and print compatible formats.
Sign up to the Charter at www.tourism2012games.org/fppc.
Sign up to the Fair Pricing & Practice Charter
Demonstrate your commitment to providing fair pricing and practices throughout the year of 2012 by signing up to the Charter today. It is widely recognised by UK tourism businesses that over-inflated pricing and/or inappropriate trading practices during 2012, and specifically during the period of the 2012 Games, could do long-term damage to the international reputation of London and the UK as a destination and undermine the huge potential for positive messages about the country.
The UK Fair Pricing & Practice Charter provides a platform for UK businesses to declare their commitment to reasonable and fair trading terms in the year of 2012 and especially during the peak periods of demand.
For more information go to http://www2.visitbritain.com/en/campaigns/Tourism2012Games/fair-pricing-practice-charter/index.aspx.
City businesses give Norwich Cathedral Quarter a thumbs up!
Where can you find beautiful historic buildings and streets, unique shops, diverse cultural activity and a continental atmosphere? The answer is the Norwich Cathedral Quarter.
A group of Norwich organisations representing local businesses and heritage buildings have got together with Norwich City Council, tourism body VisitNorwich and heritage charity Norwich HEART to promote the area of the city which includes Elm Hill, Tombland, Princes Street, the Cathedral Close and Bishopgate. They plan to emulate the success of the Norwich Lanes project which has seen increased visitor numbers, additional jobs being created and greater levels of spend in the shops.
The Maids Head is one of 12 businesses that have signed up to be part of the Norwich Cathedral Quarter initiative, a scheme for local businesses that gives them promotional benefits in return for a small contribution to marketing activities. Other businesses on board include Elm Hill Craft Shop, Shiki Japanese Restaurant, Norwich Christian Resource Centre, Hansells Solicitors, Norwich Cathedral, Mandell’s Gallery, Cutting Crew Organic Hairdressing, the Britons Arms, Tombland Bookshop and The Bear Shop.
Alan Moxon, General Manager of The Maids Head Hotel, says – “The Cathedral Quarter offers a fascinating mix with its lively early evening economy and its tranquil open spaces. The city visitor and residents alike can find cafés, bars and restaurants in stunning heritage buildings, enjoying a rich variety of musical events and visual arts. Or simply take a stroll round the tranquil Cathedral Close and along the banks of the River Wensum. All the staff and myself at the Maids Head Hotel welcome this exciting initiative.”
Michael Loveday, Chief Executive of Norwich Heritage Economic and Regeneration Trust (HEART) said: “The Cathedral Quarter project aims to recapture and enhance the area’s distinctive character and the qualities that make it special, as a platform on which to develop more economic and cultural activity. We want to build on the success of the regeneration initiatives in the Norwich Lanes which have developed a strong identity for that part of the city, boosting the local economy and contributing to a vibrant city life.”
Outline plans are being pulled together by the Cathedral Quarter steering group; these include a Tombland Fair and a series of tailored leaflets describing themed walks to encourage visitors to explore the area. Already available is the Cathedral Quarter and Elm Hill walking trail, part of HEART’s Norwich Trails series, which helps local people and visitors explore Norwich’s outstanding heritage by foot. It is available from Norwich Tourist Information Centre at £1.95 and other outlets in the Cathedral Quarter.
Businesses wishing to find out more about the Cathedral Quarter initiative should contact VisitNorwich on 01603 727979 or email info@norwichcathedralquarter.co.uk or visit www.norwichcathedralquarter.co.uk.
Good access is good business - watch the new accessible tourism video from VisitEngland
Working with a broad range of tourism business, VisitEngland has produced a short video that highlights the benfits to be gained in providing access for everyone.
In the short film, ‘Profiting through Accessible Tourism’, some of England's award winning operators explain why they feel that good accessibility has broad appeal and enhances the quality of the visitor experience. Accessibility is viewed as being good for business without having to be expensive to achieve.