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Trade News
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* Newsletter Archive: Jan 08, Feb 08
April 2008
Dear Tourism Business,
Great news! The Visit Somerset website has just recorded its three most successful months ever in terms of number of visits.
| Mar 08 | Feb 08 | Jan 08 | Aug 07 - Best Month |
|---|---|---|---|
| 45,000 | 38,000 | 36,500 | 32,500 |
Looking for accommodation, attractions and things to do are the three most popular visitor activities.
We are not resting on our laurels though. Work has just begun to analyse our web stats in depth and carry out vital optimisation and use-ability work, to help increase web traffic further.
Bearing these stats in mind, please note that we are still taking enhanced listings for 2008. To join the other 325 or so businesses that promote an image and web link, please contact me.
Best Wishes
Robert Downes
Visit Somerset Development Officer
A Green Success
Somerset's first sustainable tourism conference - Going Green in Somerset, proved to be a great success on 5th March 2008.
TV presenter Adam Hart-Davis gave the opening address to some 60 delegates at Somerset College of Art and Technology.
Sally Bennet of Hestercombe Gardens, said "This was a really thought provoking and inspiring day that will result in some practical actions to help us as an attraction become even greener."
For further information and a delegate pack, please click here.
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Tourism Skills Network (TSN) has just released details of a number of low-cost courses designed to help you improve the skills of your staff and business performance.
For between £10.00 and £25.00 per person per day, you can receive expert training. From learning how to maximise the revenue potential from every customer to attaining a Food Hygiene Certificate, there is a course to benefit you.
For those people that are responsible for training staff themselves, then there is even a course called 'Train the Trainer', that will help you plan, motivate and inspire an effective workforce.
Promoting Somerset Differently!
Last week saw the second Somerset themed e-newsletter promoted to thousands of potential visitors.
Based on one of our experiential themes - 'Family Holidays', the newsletter highlights ideas for family breaks and days out.
Research indicates that many people take more than one activity or experience based short break a year. Our experiential themes aim to tap more into the needs of our customers, helping to enhance their visitor experiences.
In the coming weeks more information will be posted on the Trade Site outlining how you as businesses can get involved.
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Then why not attend 'Keen to be Green' in Torquay on 28th April?
Targeted at tourism businesses, this free event will focus on understanding and responding to changing visitor expectations.
Surveys show visitors increasingly expect their holidays to be green. But this is often matched by expectations for en-suite spa baths, flat screen TVs and patio heaters!
* How can you best respond to these contradictory demands?
* How can you best promote your green credentials?
* How can you motivate visitors to take action?
This FREE event is organised by South West Tourism and partners. To book your place visit www.swtourism.co.uk/keengreen.
STP - Working for You
The Somerset Tourism Partnership (STP) is working to improve destination management and marketing in Somerset for the benefit of tourism businesses, residents and visitors.
Following the production of a 5-Year Tourism Delivery Plan, the partnership set up 6 working groups (including industry representatives) to develop key activities: Promotions, Research, Communications, Sustainability, Information and Quality & Training.
One of the STP's most exciting achievements to date is the creation of a new brand for Somerset, which is now used in the main brochure, Visit Somerset website and all promotional activities.
*** News Shorts ***
New Printable Events Listing
If you haven't already discovered it there is now a printable version of 2008 Somerset Events available online. To download a copy visit Diary Planner - a section of the Trade site designed to help you plan your year ahead and provide visitors with vital information.
Winning on the Web On-Site Visits
The 2007/08 series of Visit Somerset Seminars may have finished, but you can still receive expert help and advice in improving your online performance through a personal 1-2-1 on-site visit.
If you have any queries or comments regarding this e-newsletter please contact me.
