VisitGuernsey has launched an online strategy targeting UK visitors and potential visitors by social media. This includes a  blogging platform, a Facebook page and Twitter feed, supported by a Flickr photo-stream and YouTube channel.

A £25m marketing campaign is to be launched to try and encourage more tourists to the Heart of England and help businesses through the recession. The Advantage West Midlands TV advert consists of people at Warwick Castle re-enacting the ‘execution’ of a Cadbury’s crème egg.

Representatives from a large number of London’s riverside tourist attractions have attended an area marketing evening to discuss ways to promote the area to visitors. The event was also to ensure that each of the venues in the area is best positioned to take advantage of the predicted increase in visitor numbers from the UK and overseas this year.

Subjects discussed were the current state of the tourism industry, regional marketing opportunities, advice on reaching group markets and practical marketing suggestions; such as discounting and internet promotion.
London’s riverside attractions are already among some of the most popular attractions in London, however, in light of the economic downturn, some analysts are predicting an increase in the number of UK residents choosing to holiday in the UK this year.

A new tourism organisation to promote South Devon is to be launched.  Visit South Devon will work with tourism-related businesses in the region, which includes Plymouth, Torbay, Exeter and South Hams. From April, the Dartington based body will have responsibility for marketing the area for tourists.

Posters showcasing Gloucester’s history are being used to fill the windows of the city’s empty shops. The aim is to promote the local tourist attractions, whilst covering up the vacant properties.  The displays will chart the city’s origins from its days as a Roman fort, up to the development of the jet engine.

VisitScotland have introduced a new facility on their website which enables motorcyclists to search for accommodation providers which are ‘geared up’ to accommodate motorcyclists.

A new ‘audio trail’ has been launched allowing visitors to follow in the footsteps of Robin Hood.   The audio tour is available on a CD and can also be downloaded.   The project has been developed by Experience Nottinghamshire.

A website that guides visitors around the 555 sq miles of the Peak District National Park has been created by the Peak Interpretation Partnership. It is in partnership with the Peak District National Park Authority, Derbyshire County Council, Derbyshire Dales District Council, High Peak Borough Council, The National Trust, Natural England, English Heritage and Severn Trent Water. The Website is funded through the partnership and part-financed by the European Regional Development Fund.

BBC News has an interesting report which highlights the important role which tourism signage has in helping to raise awareness of destinations.  Read more here.

 

The A1 Audio Tour has been introduced by Islington Council and it provides commentary on Islington’s A1 road from Archway to Goswell Road.  The files can be downloaded for free here and the ‘tour’ provides information on historic buildings, interesting facts and stories from local residents.

Just a quick update our sister company, Onboard TV Limited, which provides an out of home advertising service on Wightlink Ferries and FastCats sailing between Portsmouth and the Isle of Wight offers an engaging way to communicate and interact with over 4 million passengers per annum.

The founders of Lonely Planet have sold their business to the BBC for approximately £70 million.   Both Tony and Maureen Wheeler will retain a 25% stake in the business.

The blog for the Canadian E Tourism Strategy Conference has been launched.

If you don’t want to relax on a beach for two weeks it may be worth reading Lonely Planet’s Volunteer guide book.  Read more here.

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The Great Wall of China; The Taj Mahal, India; Petra, Jordan; The statue of Christ, Brazil; Machu Picchu, Peru; Chichen Itza, Mexico and the Pyramids at Gaza (honorary status)

We have launched a new company Onboard TV Limited which will provide an advertising service on over 50 plasma screens installed on Wightlink’s ferries and FastCats sailing between Portsmouth and the Isle of Wight. Wightlink TV will potentially reach over four million foot passengers and motorists per annum travelling between Portsmouth and the Isle of Wight.

To find out more please visit Onboard TV.

Design Week writes that English Heritage is rolling out new brand guidelines and a slightly revised visual identity. The result is a 32 page booklet produced by Aqueduct.

As online technology is playing an increasingly important role in the marketing strategies of visitor attractions Longleat is offering free podcasts via its website – one of the podcasts capture a feeding session of the ‘big cats.’