| |
Welcome to Tourism Matters for January 2010
Thank you*..
*.to the 52 local visitor accommodation businesses who have bought into Visit Thanet's tourism marketing programme for 2010. The next issue of the Isle Guide is now under production and will be available in March; while a range of destination marketing activities are being developed to stimulate demand for Thanet's tourism publications and generate visits in the year ahead.
Help the Isle of Thanet Tourism Association, (ITTA) to help your local tourism industry!
The Isle of Thanet Tourism Association (ITTA) is to undertake a development and re-launch programme. The purpose of the programme is to align the ITTA aims and objectives with the wider tourism industry in Thanet and to build a strong and independent organisation that can promote the industry by supporting and challenging local, county and national governments, as well as proactively providing development opportunities for its members.
Working with Destination Alliances Ltd - http://www.destinationalliances.co.uk
Three 'Destination Discovery' ½ day workshops will be held on the 8th Feb, and the 1st and 8th March. The programme will culminate in a major Thanet tourism conference in May. Local tourism businesses and stakeholders are invited to attend the workshops and conference. For further information and to find out how to get involved contact Bill Hackney - tel; 01843 600 478 / mobile 07984 177577 or email BillHackney@visitsouthlodge.co.uk
Ask the customer
Visit Kent are about to carry out research on behalf of Thanet Tourism to ask people if they visited Thanet as a result of requesting visitor information for the area last year. The research will be conducted on-line and will be sent to thousands of contacts. Full results will be available in 1-2 months and a summary of findings will be provided in Tourism Matters.
Helping to measure tourism
Thanet District Council is one of a number of local authorities selected to help 'road test' a series of guidance notes on 'Measuring Tourism Locally', drafted by the Tourism Intelligence Unit of the Office for National Statistics. The guidance notes cover issues such as defining tourism, undertaking visitor surveys, and benchmarking and performance indicators. The deadline for feedback is 19 February after which the guidance notes will be refined before being launched nationally.
Views on Thanet's Beaches
A record 320 questionnaires were completed and returned in the 2009 beaches and bays survey. Respondents were a good mix of Thanet residents (just under half), visitors from London (20%) and visitors from elsewhere in the UK. Headline results include the fact that over 75% of respondents were satisfied with the cleanliness and accessibility of the beaches. Reasons for dissatisfaction mostly concerned toilets, litter, dogs and seaweed. A full summary of the survey results is available by emailing emma.penny@thanet.gov.uk
Food glorious food
To mark next month's National Chip Week (15th-22nd February) Eddie Gilbert's fish and chip shop in Ramsgate is to give away a free portion of chips with every large fish bought during the week. The shop has also been nominated for the Potato Council's "Perfect Portion Awards" so make sure you vote for them online at http://www.lovechips.co.uk/nominate-your-perfect-portion Voting closes on 10th February.
Visit Kent is working with Tourism South East and Produced in Kent to launch a Kent breakfast campaign. To start the campaign hospitality and accommodation businesses are invited to take part in one of two Visit Kent 'Out and About' visits to meet local food producers. Both will take place on Monday 25th January and cost just £10 per person, including lunch and refreshments. For further information, full itineraries and to reserve a place tel: 01622 696936 or email: celebratingkent@kent.gov.uk
Deadlines approaching
The closing date for visitor attractions and other suitable businesses to sign up to take part in Visit Kent's Big Day Out promotion is next Monday, 18th January. This year the Big Day Out will take place on Saturday 27th March. More information is available from Vanessa.Wolfman@kent.gov.uk
Also approaching - on 26th February - is the deadline for nominations for the 2010 Pride in Thanet tourism awards. If you need further information or voting cards call 0870 264 6111 or email prideinthanet@thanet.gov.uk
Emma Dadds
Tourism Assistant
Thanet District Council
PO Box 9, Cecil Street, Margate, Kent CT9 1XZ
www.visitthanet.co.uk
Direct Dial: 01843 577637
Fax: 01843 577686
|
