Gwen Raez

If you have not read over the findings of the latest visitor survey (11500 visitors were interviewed) then it’s a must for every tourism & hospitality operator & front line employee too -Knowing who your customers are, what has motivated them to visit, and importantly what they think about your business, their experiences and the destination they have chosen to visit, in this case Scotland, is key to staying ahead of the game!

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The latest statistics from our Scotland Visitor Survey 2023 focuses on visitors' experiences at attractions, activities and events. Knowing what our visitors think and want is crucial, and their responses help build our future tourism activity. Read more about the full Scotland Visitor Survey 2023.

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Over the last three years our web design and build business has grown threefold, alongside a rapidly growing digital marketing portfolio of clients. So much so, that our specialist digital services now account for almost 50% of our turnover. I’m especially proud of our team here, as many ‘traditional’ advertising and creative agencies have struggled to make the switch to the digital world, especially for more complex technical delivery. (And we were no exception, starting out as a pure-play ad agency in 1996.) Thanks to a team of really smart people here (plus some who are no longer with us) we are now breaking through to a higher level of technical capability, where no project is too big or too complex for us. An example of this was the Traffic Scotland website [https://lnkd.in/e3P77giA] which was awarded a Silver at last year’s Marketing Star Awards. With a huge volume of data feeds and integrations, complex mapping and filtering, and the top level of DSSS accreditation required, the two-year project was a significant challenge. But our team took it in their stride, supported by a wonderfully collaborative client. The last six months or so have been especially productive. We have launched or relaunched no less than 14 websites - the production line has been at full capacity. From time to time our Technical Director had moments when he went all Scotty - “She canna take any more, Cap'n! She's gonna blow!” as the team juggled and worked extra hours to keep to deadlines. I’m proud to showcase these sites, in no particular order: https://www.rzss.org.uk; https://lnkd.in/eFpfm-rn ; www.edinburghzoo.org.uk ; www.homeenergyscotland.org ; www.parentclub.scot ; https://www.lostshore.com ; https://lnkd.in/e8NCGS3C ; https://www.rhspt.org ; https://www.jacobite.co.uk ; https://lnkd.in/eUsEBwBW ; https://lnkd.in/ewycMGuf ; https://www.software.ac.uk ; https://childlight.org ; www.pensionmirror.co.uk . This level of productivity and quality could not have been achieved without the combined skills or our account and project management, strategy and insight team, UX specialists, designers, SEO specialists, copywriters, front and back end developers, and our systems administrator. And of course, the clients who a) put their trust in us and b) worked so openly and productively alongside us. Forgive the cliche - teamwork really does make the dream work. We have another batch of sites ready to roll off the production line in the next few weeks. Watch this space. #webdesign #UX #SEO #webdevelopment

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The Wales Tourism Business Barometer February Wave 2024 report provides invaluable insights into the performance and future expectations of the Welsh tourism industry. Despite the challenges faced in 2023, including fluctuating visitor numbers and high operating costs, the report highlights the resilience and optimism of Welsh businesses. 🔍 Key Highlights: Visitor trends across various regions and sectors Occupancy levels and booking patterns Top reasons for optimism in 2024 Major concerns impacting the industry From increased visitor numbers at attractions to the growing importance of repeat customers and innovative marketing strategies, this report is a must-read for anyone interested in the future of tourism in Wales. You can view the full report here: https://lnkd.in/eHvjFVvd #tourism #wales #SmallBusiness #TravelIndustry #BusinessGrowth

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Travel Trade Consultancy | B Corp™'s Travelcast has been described as 'entertaining', 'informative' and the 'highlight of the month.'* If you missed it, the latest episode is free to download now. It's packed with: 📊 Detailed insights from the ATOL authorisation data, including our mesmerising graph showing the movement in the top 20 ATOL holders 🌍 Our analysis of recent travel company results 🛫 A regulatory round-up 🙎‍♀️ The latest consumer fundamentals Catch up on all this and more 👉 https://lnkd.in/ePqwpYdB #travelindustry #travelsector #travel #travelinsights *𝘍𝘶𝘭𝘭 𝘥𝘪𝘴𝘤𝘭𝘰𝘴𝘶𝘳𝘦: 𝘰𝘶𝘳 𝘧𝘦𝘦𝘥𝘣𝘢𝘤𝘬 𝘴𝘶𝘳𝘷𝘦𝘺 𝘪𝘴 𝘢𝘯𝘰𝘯𝘺𝘮𝘰𝘶𝘴, 𝘴𝘰 𝘐 𝘤𝘢𝘯'𝘵 𝘢𝘤𝘵𝘶𝘢𝘭𝘭𝘺 𝘤𝘰𝘯𝘧𝘪𝘳𝘮 𝘪𝘧 𝘵𝘩𝘦𝘴𝘦 𝘢𝘥𝘫𝘦𝘤𝘵𝘪𝘷𝘦𝘴 𝘤𝘢𝘮𝘦 𝘧𝘳𝘰𝘮 𝘢𝘵𝘵𝘦𝘯𝘥𝘦𝘦𝘴 𝘰𝘳 𝘰𝘶𝘳 𝘰𝘸𝘯 𝘵𝘦𝘢𝘮. 𝘉𝘶𝘵 𝘩𝘢𝘷𝘦 𝘢 𝘸𝘢𝘵𝘤𝘩 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘧𝘪𝘯𝘥 𝘰𝘶𝘵 𝘧𝘰𝘳 𝘺𝘰𝘶𝘳𝘴𝘦𝘭𝘧.

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If the first few weeks of ‘summer’ are anything to go by, tourism marketing needs to focus on making the most of the dry moments, whilst encouraging people to prepare for the odd shower/ deluge! 🌦️ As I reached the top of White Tor (the site of a 3000 year old Neolithic settlement), the sun came out and it looked beautiful. But I still had my rain coat on, which was wet from the downpour moments earlier, and the strong winds resulted in the temperature feeling like it ranged from 10-20 degrees minutes apart. 🌧️🌞💨 I know many in the industry are anxious about this summer’s visitors, but don’t be worried, be creative! 💡 To encourage people to your places this summer, one tactic could be to lean into relevant incentives, with a free ice cream if you book online and it’s mostly sunny during your visit, or a hot chocolate if it rains? 🍦☕ #TourismMarketing #SummerStrategies #CreativityInTourism #IncentiveIdeas #visitormarketing #destinationmarketing

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NEWS: 📰 Our CEO Patricia Yates comments on Office for National Statistics data out today for inbound #tourism. VISITS: There were 19.5 million inbound visits to Britain from January to June 2024, up 11% compared to last year. SPEND: International visitors spent £13.4 billion on their trips in the first half of this year, on par with Jan to June 2023. The latest data shows varying rates of recovery and growth from across our major inbound visitor markets. Detailed analysis of the data, including at market, nation and region level for the first six months of 2024, is available on our website here: https://bit.ly/3Y5mwKW Nick de Bois CBE Victoria Borwick Department for Culture, Media and Sport Department for Business and Trade Gavin Landry Louise Bryce Robin Johnson Vishal Bhatia Tracey Edginton Rachael Farrington Tatiana Khoreshok Carol Maddison Severine Tharreau-Nanguy Gary Robson Holger Lenz Paul Gauger Travis Qian Amelia Robertson Devki Patel

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🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿 Today, we’re in Inverness supporting our Member, Highlands and Islands Enterprise, and Highland Council to run a creative workshop assessing strategic opportunities for the Highland Tourism Partnership. This session brings the region’s stakeholders together to review common strengths and opportunities and will result in the creation of a bold, ambitious and collaborative strategy for developing tourism. Through this process, we've: 🗺️ Conducted Extensive Stakeholder Mapping 📈 Developed Scenarios for Boosting Tourism 🌟 Established Clear Values and a Vision 💡 Initiated a Creative Burst of Rapid Ideation 🗝️ Active participation from both the public and private sectors has been key to this process and we're looking forward to seeing the implementation of the agreed actions. #reshapingtravel #strategy #workshop #partnership #collaboration #strategicplanning #teamwork #development #growth #innovation

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Hola! It’s Saturday morning and that means it’s time for a BTA Podcast to enhance your weekend! Catch up on what’s been occurring and what will occur at The BTA as we head into the summer holiday season. Just click on the link below. #businesstravel #travemanagement #yourbta #corporatetravel #podcast

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Are you in the tourism industry in the East of England? Stay at the forefront with Visit East of England's exclusive business eNewsletter.🚀🌍 📈 Benefits: Stay informed on regional, national and international tourism trends. Network with industry professionals. Gain exclusive insights for strategic decisions. Ready to enhance your presence in the dynamic tourism landscape? 📧 Subscribe now: https://lnkd.in/dEtrHMe Your success is our priority. Let's shape the future of East of England tourism together! #EastOfEnglandTourism #BusinessNewsletter

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Do you love all things history and the North East? My newsletter is perfect for you - little packages of historical goodness delivered straight to your inbox twice per month. Subscribe and you'll be the first to know about new tours, special offers and some behind the scenes goings on! If you'd like to subscribe, DM the word EMAIL and I'll send you the link you need to do so. Thank you! #HistoryTours #History #Historian #StoryTeller #NorthumberlandHistory #Archaeology #NorthumberlandBusiness #HistoryBuff #HistoryResearch #IlesTours #Storyteller #Storytelling #AlexIles #knowyourhistory #historyfacts #HistoryNewsletter

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Bolton businesses – what would encourage you and your staff to use sustainable ways of travel more often? The latest survey from TfGM asks about the challenges and opportunities in taking up sustainable travel options, and gives businesses the chance to inform the design of advice, resources and services. For example, responses from last year’s survey helped shape the approach for a night time transport pilot launching later this year in parts of Greater Manchester. Take the survey: https://bit.ly/3WyLseM

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Bolton businesses – what would encourage you and your staff to use sustainable ways of travel more often? The latest survey from TfGM asks about the challenges and opportunities in taking up sustainable travel options, and gives businesses the chance to inform the design of advice, resources and services. For example, responses from last year’s survey helped shape the approach for a night time transport pilot launching later this year in parts of Greater Manchester. Take the survey: https://bit.ly/3WyLseM

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The latest on market confidence in the specialist tour operator market. Thanks AITO - The Specialist Travel Association for sharing. Check it out here. #Travel #TourOperator #MarketConfidence

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Open Call - All Access Pass: The Future of Inclusive Tourism Digital Catapult North East Tees Valley are now accepting applicants for its "All Access Pass: The Future of Inclusive Tourism" challenge. Supported by Destination North East England, this challenge is all about using 5G and immersive technologies to tackle some of the biggest barriers to make North East tourism truly open to all. They are seeking North East organisations to join this challenge to develop a 5G and/or immersive solution over 10-weeks of workshops, co-working opportunities and support from experts to benefit one of three key areas: -Accessibility for Disabled Visitors -Weather-Proofing Experiences -Bridging the Digital Divide The call is open until the 6 December. Learn more: https://lnkd.in/ecDXsYp3

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I'm developing a range of services to help reduce overwhelm and get you started on your sustainability journey. 🌍 With Earth Day approaching, I'm going to offer three UK-based tour operators a complimentary web review if booked by Monday 22nd April 🌏 When did you last review your website's responsible or sustainable tourism pages? Do you need clear goals to back up your claims? ​ This entry-level service is not just a starting point for your sustainability journey but a tool that provides you with actionable tasks to ensure you can make positive change: ​ Web reviews include: ☑ Review up to 3 ‘Responsible Tourism’ or ‘Sustainable Tourism’ pages of your website.  ☑ Five actionable tasks to give substance to your claims 📞 30-minute Discovery Call to discuss current pages 📞 1-hour call to discuss the outcome of the review Contact me here to book your review: https://lnkd.in/ei62jHPY

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