news Issue 30 www.oxfordshirecotswolds.org September Chris Green our Tourism Superstar
Chris Green, a bird keeper who delights and amuses For Dream Night at the zoo (an evening for sick and thousands of visitors every year at Cotswold disabled children) he even dressed in a penguin onesie Wildlife Park with animated talks about penguins, much to the delight of the children!” was announced as the 2014 Tourism Superstar at the Oxfordshire Cotswolds Summer Networking It was the second Tourism Superstar award organised Event, hosted by Eynsham Hall and attended by by the Oxfordshire Cotswolds team in conjunction representatives from around 100 local tourism with VisitEngland and the Witney Gazette. businesses. Chris was presented Chris was his award by James chosen by public Berresford, Chief vote from a Executive of shortlist of five VisitEngland, who nominees put said: “ forward for the The Oxfordshire award by Cotswolds Tourism employers or Superstar Awards are colleagues in a terrific example of recognition of the District coming their together at the local outstanding level to celebrate customer brilliant innovation and service within customer care of the the tourism highest standard. I sector. congratulate Chris Green on this He fittingly wore James Berresford presenting Chris Green with his award tremendous a penguin design achievement.” tie as he was declared the winner and said afterwards: “It was a complete surprise! When they called my name, I Chris will now be eligible for nomination to the 2015 was so shocked. The fact it was voted for by the public VisitEngland National Tourism Superstar Awards. means so much to me and I’d like to thank everyone for taking the time to vote Green! I love my job and to win this The other shortlisted candidates were: award for something I love doing means the world to me. It HotelCatherine Marray - The Macdonald Bear was a very proud day in my life.” Reza Kezami - Blenheim Palace Ingrid Allen - Cogges Colleague Anna Fletcher, who nominated him, said: Karen Flynn - Oxford Witney Four Pillars “His talks amuse, delight and inform the public about Hotel Cotswold Wildlife Park's Humboldt penguins and their Shaun Bowles, General Manager of Eynsham Hall, plight. said: “We are delighted to have hosted the Tourism Superstar Awards for a second year running and to have “He is often asked questions by the public and is always welcomed people to Eynsham Hall. The finalists are all happy to help. He's always there with a smile, happy to incredibly worthy and we extend our congratulations to chat to the public. Chris Green on his Summer Networking Event at Eynsham Hall
www.oxfordshirecotswolds.org Great for Groups 2014
Earlier this month we attended the Great for Groups show in Manchester and were delighted to have Heythrop Park Resort as our stand partners.
With research showing that the greatest concentration of group travel organisers are based in the South East and North West of England, Great for Groups gave us an opportunity to target this lucrative market Tracey Norcup of Heythrop Park Resort at Great for Groups and promote the Oxfordshire Cotswolds to a wider audience.
The show aimed to showcase the very best attractions and destinations that the UK has to offer group travel organisers and tour operators. We were able to generate new sales leads, showcase our products and meet group travel organisers face-to-face and remind them why they should visit the Oxfordshire Cotswolds.
Re-invigorating the Golden Route
Traditionally the UK‟s „Golden Route‟ for Japanese tourists has been London, the Cotswolds, Stratford, the Lake District and Edinburgh. However over recent years numbers following the route have declined steadily.
In order to try and reverse this decline, we having been working with VisitBritain and their Japanese partner, JTB Look World Vacations, one of the largest travel companies in Japan. As part of this co-ordinated effort we have been helping to organise a number of familiarisation visits for JTB staff, as well as Japanese media and buyers.
The first visit, including a „Downton Abbey‟ tour guided by International Friends took place at the end of July, and another group visit has just taken place with the final group due to come over at the end of February next year. JTB staff and their guide for the Downton Abbey tour The first visits have certainly generated a good deal of Japanese „twitter‟ about the Oxfordshire Cotswolds and the JTB staff, who will be the ones actively selling the area in Japan but who had never previously visited the Cotswolds, have given us some very positive feedback.
We look forward to a resurgence of Japanese visitors in due course – Downton Abbey, of which only the first series has been aired in Japan so far, is certainly proving a popular pull and with at least four more series to air in Japan should continue to do so for some time to come!
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PR masterclass Rock The Cotswolds™ launched this summer to Following on from the success of her first PR showcase the creativity, venues, events, people and workshop, held in June, Catherine Warrilow, world-leading businesses that call the Cotswolds director of the Oxfordshire PR agency Seriously PR, has kindly agreed to host another FREE half day home. workshop for Oxfordshire Cotswold businesses. It seeks to prove that among the glorious rolling Seriously PR specialise in travel, tourism and leisure hills, picturesque stone walls and stunning chocolate- so the workshop will be especially beneficial if you box villages, there is a cool, colourful Cotswolds fall into these categories but will be relevant to all waiting to be discovered by a new generation. business sectors.
Through a programme of annual events and the Catherine has over 10 years industry experience and will be able to answer all of your questions - she's showcasing of unique (and often hidden) venues, full of great ideas and really knows how to find the events and businesses, the team at Rock the newsworthy stories within your business. She'll give Cotswolds™ is trying to change perceptions and you tips specific to what you do and help you to feel open the eyes of people who think they already inspired and motivated to promote your business know what the Cotswolds offers. effectively.
At the colourful launch event in July, 75 Rockers - a Topics covered will include: „Rocker‟ is a cool and unique business, person, event The differences between PR, marketing, or venue located in the Cotswolds - were advertising and social media announced, with 5 more being announced each How to prepare your business for PR The basic principles of PR to help you start communicating your news How to really understand your target market Finding your news story Getting your news into the press and on the radio Some really important do's and don'ts Monitoring your efforts and maximising your impact Christmas PR and getting local publicity for the festive season month since then. Booking is essential, as places are limited: contact The campaign has won widespread local business Chris Jackson to reserve a place. support and sponsorship with endorsement from Date: Wednesday 5 November dozens of well-known figures, TV celebrities, Time: 11am – 3pm (light lunch included) politicians (including Prime Minister David Cameron) Venue: West Oxfordshire District Council, and sports stars. Woodgreen Offices, Witney OX28 1NB Nominations for new Rockers are open all the time and The Rock the Cotswolds™ team is encouraging Oxfordshire Cotswolds businesses, events, venues, destinations or people to nominate themselves.
To find out more, or to nominate yourself, visit www.rockthecotswolds.com
www.oxfordshirecotswolds.org Group Travel Awards Cotswold Life Congratulations to Blenheim Palace who were named Best Historical House for Groups (and who Food and Drink were also shortlisted in the Best Group Dining Experience category) at this year‟s Group Travel Awards Awards. Over 550 guests, finalists and sponsors joined Cotswold Life to celebrate the 12th Cotswold Life Food & Drink Awards in July at an awards ceremony hosted by Adam Henson.
The Cotswold Life Food and Drink Awards are designed to champion and highlight the good and the great from the region‟s food and drink industry, including local producers and suppliers, small farming businesses, chefs, restaurants, pubs and hoteliers.
Our congratulations to Emily Watkins of The Kingham Plough, who was chosen as 2014 Cotswold Food Hero. Each year the readers of Group Travel Organiser magazine are asked to vote for who they think are the The Kingham Plough was also Highly best suppliers in more than 20 categories: from the pre- Commended in the Best Pub Restaurant visit information to where groups stay and the category. attractions they visit when they get there, every aspect of group travel is covered. Congratulations also to Jaffe & Neale of Chipping Norton, who were highly commended in the Local Tea/Coffee Shop category.
The Old Swan and Minster Mill goes green The Old Swan and Minster Mill is going for green energy, installing an Archimedes screw to produce renewable energy. A “fish friendly” technology, the Archimedes Screw was selected for its low impact on the river‟s ecosystem and its efficient energy production. A fish pass will also be developed as part of the scheme to improve fish spawning grounds. Based on Archimedes‟ ancient screw pump design, the 2 by 5 metre screw is turned as water flows through it, activating the turbine Staff from the Old Swan and Minster Mill watch as the installation begins and harnessing up to 87 percent of the energy from the falling water. The technology enables the scheme to give a peak output of 10 kW and generate power of 48,000kwh/year. Hallidays Hydropower, who installed the device, have also worked on similar projects for the National Trust and locally with Blenheim Palace.
www.oxfordshirecotswolds.org New CEO of VisitBritain TripAdvisor to show In July, the Chairman of VisitEngland star ratings VisitBritain, Christopher Rodrigues, announced the As part of a new partnership VisitEngland are appointment of Sally Balcombe as their next joining the AA as providers of official star Chief Executive Officer, ratings for TripAdvisor. following a competitive appointment process and Members of the National Quality Assessment with the full support of all Scheme who are listed on the TripAdvisor board members. property pages will now have their star ratings displayed. Sally brings an impressive track record in the global Star ratings are an important benchmark for travel sector and will Sally Balcombe quality, valued by consumers, helping them to start her new role in late September. In addition, New CEO of VisitBritain choose their accommodation with confidence. Christopher Rodrigues The opportunity for the star ratings to be also agreed to continue as Chair beyond the expiry of displayed on the TripAdvisor property pages his current term. will be an added benefit to those businesses that are already listed on TripAdvisor, or Tourism enquiry those who might wish to sign up in the future, whether through the free listings section or The Culture, Media and Sport Committee are running an inquiry into the ways tourism can be developed for the paid for business listing. This partnership the benefit of both local economies and the country as a forms part of a raft of projects by VisitEngland whole. aimed at supporting tourism businesses to engage with consumers via digital platforms. Multiple issues have been identified such as reducing regulatory burdens on businesses and improving the competitiveness of hotel accommodation. The Committee has invited written evidence to be VisitBritain and VisitEngland submitted online, by Monday 29 September. triennial review www.parliament.uk/business/committees/committees-a -z/commons-select/culture-media-and-sport- VisitBritain and VisitEngland are to be reviewed as part of wider Cabinet Office work on non- committee/inquiries/parliament-2010/tourism/ departmental public bodies. Great Britain The Department for Culture, Media and Sport Day Visitor has announced a triennial VisitBritain have published review of VisitBritain and a new report, “The Great VisitEngland, as part of Britain Day Visitor.” the standard requirement by the This latest report brings Cabinet Office for all together a wealth of Government departments to review their market facts, figures and agencies and non-departmental public bodies trends: in 2013, we took (NDPBs) once every three years. 1,370m day visits in England, spending on Announced through a Written Ministerial average £34 per visit, and Statement in Parliament, the review will ensure generating £46 billion in that the agencies are still needed and are total expenditure. complying with principles of good corporate governance. You can download a copy of the report at To comment please email (by 31 October) http://b2b.visitbritain.org/ntop/newslettermail.aspx? cultureInfo=en-GB&cid=33802&act=lnk&lnkid=3948
www.oxfordshirecotswolds.org Oxfordshire Cotswolds town news
Wake up to Woodstock Experience Chipping Norton
Wake up to Woodstock Experience Chipping Norton celebrate their 10th (ECN) started life as one of anniversary this year and 326 applicants for funding to be have a „birthday party‟ a Portas Pilot town and though planned for October 10 they didn‟t receive money at the Real Wood under this scheme, they later Furniture Company. received £10,000 of funding from the national Town Team partners programme Over the years Wake up to Woodstock has been instrumental in creating a number of events that have As well as a new website ECN now have an now “grown up and left home” like Woodstock Live active presence on social media, as well as and Art in Woodstock: regular annual events that now regular networking events and business talks. operate independently. In July ECN certainly Not content to rest on their landed a major coup laurels though, Wake up to with the Woodstock have had another entrepreneur and busy and successful year: not fund manager, Nicola only have they launched a Horlick, coming along revamped website and to talk at one of these #ChippyBizTalks. accompanying Pocket Woodstock app, as well as producing their annual Wake up to Woodstock leaflet, but they‟ve also started holding Burford Chamber of Trade regular and well attended networking „mixer‟ evenings. Burford Chamber of Trade has seen some www.wakeuptowoodstock.com major changes this year: not only have they appointed a new PR VisitEngland Guidance Note company, Concierge PR, to help with promoting VisitEngland have produced a guidance note on the visitor the town but they have economy in towns and cities. also started really trying to engage with social media, regularly tweeting The publication is complete with case studies from across (@TownOfBurford) and posting to Facebook. England and a range of tips for destinations and town/city teams to consider. They are also hard at work on a new town website, You can download your copy here which they are hoping to http://b2b.visitbritain.org/ntop/ launch in the not too distant newslettermail.aspx? future - watch this space for cultureInfo=en- news. GB&cid=33802&act=lnk&lnkid=4006 www.burfordcotswolds.co.uk
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West Oxfordshire Week Oxfordshire Cotswolds The popular West Oxfordshire Week (WOW) is back enewsletters this September (running from Monday 15 to Sunday 21 September) with a week of free guided walks, mountain As you hopefully bike rides and even a guided horse ride, as well as know by now, we discounted entry to many Oxfordshire Cotswolds visitor produce regular attractions. monthly enewsletters that are sent out to our ever-growing consumer database and which are all archived on the Oxfordshire Cotswolds website at www.oxfordshirecotswolds.org/enews
The themes for the next enewsletters are: September – Bed & Breakfast special October – Shopping special November – Christmas special December – Winter warmers
The week is designed to get local residents out and about If you have anything enjoying the spectacular local scenery and the great local that is relevant to attractions that we have. any of these themes and that you would Thank you to all the many attractions like considered for that have agreed to take part: Blenheim inclusion, then please Palace, Chipping Norton Museum of contact Chris Local History, Cogges, Combe Mill, Jackson. Cotswold Wildlife Park and Gardens, Crocodiles of the World, Fairytale Farm, *Please note that Oxford Bus Museum and Rousham. enewsletters and other bulk mailings Cllr Richard Langridge, Cabinet Member for Economy and that we send out can Local Communities at West Oxfordshire District Council, fall foul of over- zealous spam filters said: - I know that one or two of our business “WOW is the contacts have in the perfect past had problems opportunity receiving our for residents communications – so to visit the top quality attractions that draw so many visitors to it would be great if our district each year. Tourism is a major industry in West you could ensure Oxfordshire and I hope that many people will take advantage that this email address below is of these offers and visit some of the wonderful places that are added to your safe senders list: here on our doorstep.” www.westoxon.gov.uk/wow
www.oxfordshirecotswolds.org Downton Abbey is back
The new series of Downton Abbey starts on ITV on Sunday 21 September, so keep a look out for Bampton, the fictional village of Downton, and Cogges, which as Yew Tree Farm is set to feature fairly prominently in the new series.
We will continue to promote all the Downton Abbey locations we have here in the Oxfordshire Cotswolds, which are proving so popular with both the travel trade and individual consumers. There is significant interest from overseas markets and we will continue to capitalise on this.
Take a look at our dedicated Downton Abbey section on the website. www.oxfordshirecotswolds.org/downton
DIARY dates 15-21 September West Oxfordshire Week A week of walks, rides and discounted attraction entry
25 September Staycation – what’s next? Tourism Society chaired discussion - London 29 September Media Masterclass Tourism Society event - London 5 November PR masterclass Seriously PR workshop - Witney
Join the Oxfordshire Cotswolds (OxCots) on
West Oxfordshire District Council Tourism Team
Hayley Beer 01993 861563 Tourism Services Manager Diane Blackwell [email protected] Tourism Development Officer 01993 861561 [email protected] 01993 861553 Chris Jackson Tourism Development Officer Wendy Dancer [email protected] Visitor Information Centres
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