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Press release: version 1: Cornwall / local distribution list, corporate distribution list and corporate website.
PRESS RELEASE
19 June 2012
VisitCornwall’s new website short-listed for national award
The new online travel and tourism guide for Cornwallhas been short-listed as Best UK Visitor Guide Website by the British Travel Awards.
VisitCornwall, the tourism service of Cornwall Development Company, relaunched in March 2012 with a unique and innovative Customise your visitfeature which is the first of its kind for a UK holiday destination website setting it apart from the competition in terms of innovation and customer service.
Visitors researching their holiday options on the new online essential guide to Cornwall can now filter everything on the website to reflect who they are and what they are interested in and what time of year they are travelling.
By clicking on the Customise your visit button at the top right-hand of the website visitors can filter content across to suit their specific requirements.
Visitors can choose to tell the website whether they are travelling with or without children, the ages of their children, if they have specific access requirements, if they are bringing their dog, what areas of Cornwall they are interested in,and the time of year they want to visit.The website will then only present information that is relevant to their requirements.
Lauren Hogan, VisitCornwall Digital Marketing Manager, said:
“Everyone is short on time these days and it’s so important for a website to make life easy for the customer. Helping them find what they are looking for quickly and easily is vital and the new Customise your visit tool does that.
“The website has also been designed to meet the needs of visitors using mobile devices such as smart phones and iPads as there has been a fourfold increase in customers accessing the website using mobile technology.”
“There are also plans to introduce geo-locating technology so that mobile users in Cornwall can plot themselves on the map to find out Things to do and What’s on near to where they are staying.”
Simon Tregonning, MD of Classic Cottages and Chair of the VisitCornwall partnership, said:
“One of the major challenges for the VisitCornwall website is helping such a wide range of visitors. I am particularly impressed with the Customise Your Visit facility which overcomes that problem and shows what Cornwall has to offer specifically for them. A great bit of customer service.”
Chris Ridgers, Cabinet Member for Economy and Regeneration, said:
“To retain its leading position in tourism, Cornwall has to successfully showcase itself to both first time and returning visitors so that their decision to visit and enjoy Cornwall is an easy one.An important part of making our tourism offering as attractive as possible is the provision of easy access to a wide range of information; something which has been at the core of our thinking since the decision was taken to refresh the website.A website which, I anticipate, will be the preferred point, for visitors and residents, to acquire knowledge about Cornwall.”
The website also features a large, easy to use interactive map that gives visitors a fast way of finding their way around Cornwall and understanding how far places are away from each other.
The new website also has a video library with over 20 “digital postcards” including fabulous aerial tours of Cornwall and features on things to do and places to visit.
The website receives 1.5 million visitors a year and has already seen a 17% increase in web traffic following its launch.
It features an essential guide to What's on in Cornwall, Things to do, Food and drink, an online Beach guide, Where to stay, interactive maps, videos and the I love Cornwall blog: for insider tips and the latest news.
Website users can also share much of the website content with their families and friends using Facebook and Twitter.
The British Travel Awards 2012 are inviting the public to vote for UK holidays and attractions including the best UK visitor guide website. There is more information on the Visit Cornwall website at
ENDS
Editors notes:
Interviews available with Malcom Bell Head of Visit Cornwall please contact Julia Hughes – Tourism Press & PR Executive
01872 322928
VisitCornwall is a service of the Cornwall Development Company, Cornwall Council’s arms length economic development company.
VisitCornwall undertakes the destination marketing function for Cornwall and promotes the area’s distinctive qualities to the domestic market and key international markets through targeted marketing campaigns.
visitcornwall.com was built by Bristol based digital marketing agency Nameless Media Group Ltd in conjunction with Visit Cornwall following a comprehensive consultation process with the trade and visitors.
visitcornwall.com is the official tourist board online visitor guide. On the website visitors will find:
- What’s on - essential guide to what's on in Cornwall. Ideas to suit all ages, interests and budgets including surf festivals, live music, agricultural shows, arts festivals and quirky local events.
- Things to do - you'll findall the thingsCornwall is famous for; spectacular beaches; surf spotsand surf schools; gorgeous gardens; cliff top walks;boat trips; and of courseiconic attractions such as St Michael's Mount, the Minack Theatre, Land's End, King Arthur's castle and the Eden Project. ButCornwall will keep surprising you with the vast offer of new, different and fun things to do
- Food and drink – showcasing the very best Cornwall has to offer, from fine dining, to quirky cafes, to vineyards, breweries and the best in fresh produce
- Beaches – showcasing Cornwall's beaches which are rated among the best in the world. Thanks to the county's unique position on the UK's south west peninsula, 80% of the county is surrounded by the sea with the longest stretch of coastline in the UK at 476km.
- Where to stay - Search from more than 1200 listings including hotels, B and Bs, guest houses, camping and camp sites, cottages and holiday parks. Whether you're looking for a top-class hotel with all facilities, a friendly guest house, a cosy self-catering cottage, the freedom of a holiday park, or the warm welcome of a farmhouse bed and breakfast - you'll be spoilt for choice
- Interactive maps - There's so much to do, see and explore in Cornwall. With the longest stretch of continuous coastline in Britain, you’ll discover tiny Cornish fishing villages, smuggler’s coves, countless spectacular beaches and sweeping bays, dramatic cliffs and coastlines, plus beautiful moorland and countryside. Use the interactive map to find your way around
- Videos – bringing Cornwall to life, so you can see the destination, experience the destination, get a real feel of the destination through film
- The I love Cornwall blog: for insider tips, guest blogging, and the latest news
Further information
Lauren Hogan – Digital Marketing Manager
01872 322943
Julia Hughes – Tourism Press & PR Executive
01872 322928