Just looking at Annette Cole's summary of 2009, I am keenly reminded of the challenges faced in the last 12 months.  With a tourism industry dominated by small businesses I am delighted that, in the South West, our businesses have ...

Date added: Monday 21st December 2009
Latest updated: Friday 7th June 2013

2009 has been particularly challenging for the tourism industry, with the crash in the value of the pound in relation to the Euro, and the non eventful BBQ summer that we were all hoping for. The industry also dealt with the hype surrounding the speculation ...

Date added: Monday 21st December 2009
Latest updated: Friday 7th June 2013

The latest ‘How's Business' research was undertaken throughout November 2009 by TNS.  689 businesses responded to the survey to establish how business was during October 2009.Figures for October show that visitor numbers are up compared to this time last year.  Just under half of all ...

Date added: Monday 21st December 2009
Latest updated: Friday 7th June 2013

From Tourism Alliance. Work on finding a solution to the proposed repeal of the Furnished Holiday Lettings Rules continues with the development of a paper on the financial implications for self-catering operators if the tax status of these tourism businesses is changed.The paper shows that, while ...

Date added: Monday 21st December 2009
Latest updated: Friday 7th June 2013

Did you know that 10 million people in the UK have a disability; with an ageing population these numbers are growing. You cannot afford to ignore this market and there is a tangible business case to change and make your business more accessible.The TACTALL course ...

Date added: Monday 21st December 2009
Latest updated: Friday 7th June 2013

A new online resource will assist forward-looking businesses in preparing for the effects of climate change.  In tough economic times many are already looking to reduce the future risks to their business, make the most of emerging opportunities and keep ahead of the game as ...

Date added: Friday 11th December 2009
Latest updated: Friday 7th June 2013

The best of the South West were celebrating on the 23rd November 2009 at the South West Tourism Excellence Awards 2009-2010, in association with Enjoy England Awards for Excellence, South West Water and E-Strategy.Guest speaker and presenter at this year's event was Gill Williams, Travel ...

Date added: Monday 23rd November 2009
Latest updated: Friday 7th June 2013

South West Tourism, the regional Tourist Board and the South West RDA plan to work closer on the delivery of the regional tourism strategy, and in developing regional tourism in the future.South West Tourism will co-locate with the South West RDA, by the end of ...

Date added: Thursday 26th November 2009
Latest updated: Friday 7th June 2013

The event will showcase ‘the best of the South West tourist industry' including; visitor destinations and attractions, activity providers, event organisers, group accommodation providers, coach companies and tourism trade groups and will take place at Westpoint Arena, Exeter on 23rd January 2010. Exhibition organiser, Resort Marketing ...

Date added: Friday 20th November 2009
Latest updated: Friday 7th June 2013

Ferry operator Severn Link has announced plans to create a regular fast, and affordable passenger ferry service between Ilfracombe and Swansea, due to commence operation early next year. The Severn Link service will be the very first time a regular modern ferry route has joined the ...

Date added: Friday 20th November 2009
Latest updated: Friday 7th June 2013

‘How's Business' research was undertaken throughout October 2009 by TNS. 852 businesses throughout the region responded to the survey to help establish the levels of business in September 2009. The largest proportion of businesses (45%) reported increases in visitor numbers to September 2008, with a further 36% reporting similar ...

Date added: Friday 20th November 2009
Latest updated: Friday 7th June 2013

The winners and finalists have been revealed for the South West Tourism Excellence Awards 2009/2010, in association with E-Strategy and South West Water.The awards celebrate the ‘best ...

Date added: Thursday 29th October 2009
Latest updated: Friday 7th June 2013

South West Tourism has been working with Taste of the West to create a copyright free library of mouth-watering food and drink images for the tourism industry, so that businesses can make quick and low cost additions to their websites and other promotional materials.Recent research, ...

Date added: Wednesday 14th October 2009
Latest updated: Friday 7th June 2013

How good was your August? The 'How's Business' research results can help you find out how well you compared to other businesses in your sector and destination. South West Tourism will now bring you up-to-date ‘How's Business?' research results every month to help you keep one ...

Date added: Wednesday 14th October 2009
Latest updated: Friday 7th June 2013

The 2012 Games will place the UK firmly on the world stage and offer a once in a lifetime chance for businesses across the South West to capitalise on the opportunities the Games will bring.Worldwide media coverage of the UK, both before and during the Games, ...

Date added: Wednesday 14th October 2009
Latest updated: Friday 7th June 2013

Six months after it was introduced, has the ACAS code of practice made life easier for hard pressed HR managers, or just added complexity and uncertainty?Tozers' autumn seminars will look at the effect the code is having on handling the most common types of workplace ...

Date added: Monday 5th October 2009
Latest updated: Friday 7th June 2013

After a successful Masterclass half day seminar ‘Leadership in Challenging Times', Tourism Skills Network South West are now busy preparing for the next in the series of events featuring top keynote speakers. ‘Creating a Service Excellence Reputation', highlighting expert viewpoints from key speakers on how ...

Date added: Thursday 1st October 2009
Latest updated: Friday 7th June 2013

South West marketers, tourism and business professionals are being invited to set sail and dine at the exclusive Annual Marketers Dinner on the River Dart this month. Hosted by The Chartered Institute of Marketing's South West Region, Simon Calder, senior travel editor at The Independent, will ...

Date added: Thursday 1st October 2009
Latest updated: Friday 7th June 2013

A national South West England PR campaign will be launching this week to promote the region to potential visitors, with the aim of generating additional tourism spend for the region in 2010.If you have any news relating to re-developments / key events / ...

Date added: Wednesday 23rd September 2009
Latest updated: Friday 7th June 2013

The Government's Small Business Rate Relief scheme is still open for applications.  The scheme gives up to 50% off rate bills for qualifying business properties and applications can be backdated to April 2007.To qualify, the rateable value of your property must be below £15,000 (or ...

Date added: Wednesday 23rd September 2009
Latest updated: Friday 7th June 2013

South West Tourism are pleased to announce the latest course dates for the ‘Welcome to Excellence' customer service programme, including the 'E-business' and 'Green Advantage' courses, available across the South West from October to December 2009.Welcome E-Business CourseCourse Fee £90 + VAT per personThe objective ...

Date added: Monday 28th September 2009
Latest updated: Friday 7th June 2013

Research by the British Hotel Guest Survey suggests that the number of travellers researching their holidays online is constantly rising and more and more people are looking to book accommodation online.Statistics updated by Internet World Stats estimate an increase of 274.3% in Internet users in ...

Date added: Wednesday 19th August 2009
Latest updated: Friday 7th June 2013

2009 was lined up to be a bumper year where domestic tourism would boom. This was then reinforced by the Met Office forecasting we were odds on for a barbecue summer. However, with weekly stories of rising unemployment, constant reminders to consumers to be more ...

Date added: Wednesday 19th August 2009
Latest updated: Friday 7th June 2013

An innovative leaflet designed to help visitors plan their journeys to the South West and avoid the busy congestion spots is being promoted in 79 motorway service areas this summer. Summer Getaway 2009 has been produced by the Highways Agency in partnership with South West ...

Date added: Wednesday 1st July 2009
Latest updated: Friday 7th June 2013

The South West is well under way in switching over to digital television with the analogue TV signal already switched off in many areas. Accommodation providers may not be aware that upgrading TV interactive / distribution systems* to digital may result in the loss of ...

Date added: Thursday 6th August 2009
Latest updated: Friday 7th June 2013

An industry survey of more than 13,000 VisitEngland assessed serviced accommodation businesses  has been distributed  by the national tourism body as part of a wider review of the UK wide Common Standards star rating system.The UK is one of few regions worldwide that operates a ...

Date added: Monday 27th July 2009
Latest updated: Friday 7th June 2013

The Tourism Skills Network South West is delighted to launch new Lightbulb Masterclasses.  Building on the success of the Tourism and Hospitality Executive Programme, the Lightbulb Masterclasses have been developed to include not one, but two keynote speakers in a half-day event.  These short, intensive ...

Date added: Thursday 6th August 2009
Latest updated: Friday 7th June 2013

Flooding is the most common and widespread natural disaster in the UK, and since 1998 there has been at least one serious flood every year. As our climate changes we can expect to see more extreme weather - and more floods. By taking action to prepare ...

Date added: Monday 27th July 2009
Latest updated: Friday 7th June 2013

Tourism businesses who continue to invest in training during a recession are more likely to survive the downturn and thrive in the eventual recovery. Despite this, many businesses tend to cut the training budget first in an economic slowdown, when it is more important than ...

Date added: Monday 27th July 2009
Latest updated: Friday 7th June 2013

New research released today focuses on the Non-Visitor attitudes towards the South West, and explores what they really think about the region.The research was conducted to develop a better understanding of this market and pinpoint factors that may be causing lapsed visitors, including factors that ...

Date added: Thursday 9th July 2009
Latest updated: Friday 7th June 2013