Groups & Travel Trade Meeting

Tuesday18 October 2016, 14.00 – 16.00

Venue:Holiday Inn Salisbury Stonehenge

Meeting Notes

Attendees

Florence Wallace, VisitWiltshire; Fiona Errington, VisitWiltshire; Kevin Jones, VisitBritain, Jo Atkins, National Trust; Rachel Wheeler, Marlborough College Summer School; David Lane, Holiday Inn Salisbury Stonehenge; Siobhan Harrison, English Heritage - Travel Trade; David Patton, English Heritage – Yield & Ticketing Stonehenge; Claire Thompson, Norman Allen Travel; Sue Gibbons, Cholderton Rare Breeds Farm Park; Heena Mistry, REME Museum; William Grant, Stonehenge Campsite & Glamping Pods; Debby Edwards, Bowood House & Gardens; Stephanie Shearing, Salisbury; David Dawson, Wiltshire/Salisbury Museum;, Bob Fanton, Stonehenge Inn & Carvery; Christine Nielsen-Craig, Sarum College; Linda Cooper, Sarum College; Tim Deacon, Executive Connections/Value Cars

  1. Welcome, apologies, introductions and actions from last meetingFE

No actions

  1. Welcome to a new Travel Trade Group ChairFE

Fiona introduced Jo Atkins, Marketing and Communications Consultant South WestRegion National Trust as the new Travel Trade Chair. Jo gave a brief intro into her background which included 17 years at National Trust including a secondment to fundraising and property management.

  1. Review of activity / how’s business / New for 2017 – 1 ½ mins eachAll

Round the table introductions. Summary:

Overall most businesses report an increase with steady growth in trade business for 2016 and Christmas bookings are looking better than expected. There has been a large increase in Chinese visitors to Stonehenge (due to new operator tours) and the USA market is increasingly buoyant. There also seems to be a steady increase of business from European visitors (including a group of motorhomes). 2017 bookings to date are looking promising with new coach contracts being signed and partners really fine tuning their specialist tours and packages.

  1. Norman Allen Group Travel Ltd Claire Thompson

Claire introduced herself and a brief introduction about Norman Allen Group Travel. They have three markets they focus on, the main one being the UK domestic coach industry, followed by the UK private groups/GTO’s. In both cases, NAGT have seen a sharp increase in the tours they have operated within the UK over the past 2 years or so, with a split of approx. 60%/40% on those operating UK trips to those on the Continent. The other significant market for them is the Inbound sector with most tours operating in the UK. Despite the industry trends, they find that their overseas clients prefer to travel outside of London, with many travelling through Wiltshire - Stonehenge still being the main draw. They have seen a marked increase in interest for the South West of England as a whole from the North American market in particular. They offer unique and specialist bespoke tours for groups only, and have been operating since 1972. They are working a min of year in advance in all markets, so beginning to book now for 2018. They have a keen interest in increasing their business to this region and are now partners of VisitWiltshire, working more closely with us.

  1. Wiltshire Trade Marketing Activity Update FW / FE
  • Travel Trade Familiarisation Visit Review

Flo referred everyone to Fam visit section on the activity report and explained the attendees. Feedback from attendees was superb – although limited evaluation available and assumptions may have to be made. However, anecdotal feedback from both suppliers and buyers was positive. There was support from suppliers in the room to continue to run the one to one networking meetings with the next beingspring 2017. Dates tbc. Devizes offered a venue to host this.

  • Print

Fiona circulated a proof of the new for 2017 Groups and Travel Guide. This will be going to print shortly and will be distributed in January to VisitWiltshire database and available at exhibitions in 2017.

ACTION: Please feedback if you have any comments about the print by Wed 26 October.

  • Advertising/PR

Flo circulated some trade publications which included the VisitWiltshire Christmas adverts and editorial coverage. Fiona mentioned that all other adverts including online ones for the first time, have been placed.

  • Exhibitions

Flo detailed the exhibitions that VisitWiltshire will be doing next year – see activity update.

In addition to the exhibitions included in the Travel Trade package there has been interest to attend South West Group Travel Show at Cheltenham Racecourse on 4 February. We currently have interest from Bowood, Longleat, Wiltshire/Salisbury Museum, Wadworth, Corsham and The Bridge Tea Rooms to attend.

ACTION: Please let Flo know by 31 October if you would like to attend the SW Group Travel Show – costs will be between £175 - £250 per stand sharer.

ACTION: If anyone is interested to attend any other travel trade fairs please let Flo know.

  • Other

Flo mentioned that she is working on updating the trade pages on the VisitWiltshire website. Plus aligning new 2017 package information with print and web. We are keen for all group partners to engage with each other to create thematic bookable packages. These can be sold via one of our trade operator partners.

  1. The Great West Way FE/FW

Fiona explained that VisitWiltshire have been successful in securing Discover England Funding to develop a new touring route – The Great West Way. The press release and summary documents were circulated.

  1. South West Tourism Growth Fund 2016/2017 activity and plans FE/FW

Flo updated the group about the South West Tourism Legacy project. The majority of SW destinations are ‘buying in’ to continue a programme of activity, including exhibiting at ITB, possibly attendance at Vakantiebeurs, and a large scale Showcase South West event in Nov 2017.

Action: Still looking for a large venue space for 100+ people for one to one speed networking meetings.

  1. VisitBritain Travel Trade engagement opportunities/updateVB

Kevin Jones delivered his presentation about engagement opportunities. See presentation for details.

Action: Register your business on the supplier directory with VisitBritain - trade.visitbritain.com

  1. Any Other Business All

Discussion followed about cycling itineraries. VisitWiltshire can help with enquiries regarding suitable venues for lunch/dinner for groups. Claire from Norman Allen Travel finished by advising people to think about 2018 prices and specialist tours.

  1. Date of Next Meeting

Tuesday 7 February 2017 – Venue to be confirmed