A October update from our General Manager - Sally Everton
13th November 2017
Sally Everton, Visit Devon General Manager has been driving promotion and encouraging visitors into Devon.
Sally has been working on the following during October:
- Attend VisitExmoor meeting re 150 years of Lorna Doone in 2019
- Attend Food and Drink Devon awards at the Deer Park – plug on R2 about food tourism in Devon by Nigel Barden
- Attend Devon Delivers event by DCC at Powderham Castle
- Attend VIBE in Glasgow with 15 face-to-face appointments with the VisitBritain global team plus product for destination development – follow up and actioned (ongoing) Detailed report available on request – drop me an e-mail.
- Ongoing contact with ATP’s, MDDC, Brend Hotels and other commercial partners
- Meeting and continue working with Exeter Airport assisting to build a case to pitch to airlines for additional routes to Exeter
- Meeting with VisitDartmoor and DNP – building a way forward.
- Continue follow up from Destination Britain North America – 2 press trips confirmed, plus one educational from Crystal Travel & Tours. Travel Age West published a piece on Lympstone Manor for food and drink and luxury in Devon (Trade press to key agents and buyers)
- Group meeting with Devon venues from across the county at Sandy Park re a possible business tourism strategy. Looking at workable options. Lively meeting and general consensus is we want to develop this sector. *next steps in progress and follow up meeting 6th December at Dartington Hall.
- Meeting with VisitNorthDevon and VisitExmoor.Looking at ways to develop their international presence in Germany, the US and China
- Developing press and buyer educational itineraries – 6 in progress between Dec and March – plus 3 that are in early November. Journalists, bloggers, plus US, Chinese, Japanese, Dutch and German agents.
- Various meetings with ATP’s, venues, attractions as well as potential commercial partners across the county.
- Enquiries from AC Tours Lux, Kuoni, Luxury Vacations, Crystal Travel & Tours
Looking ahead to November
Lunch with Sally Balcombe CEO VisitBritain; and Andrew Stokes, England Director. Small group with 3 other destinations, Shakespeare’s England, Cheshire and Cumbria; An update on the challenges facing us as a DMO and VisitBritain with government budget cuts. Discuss ways forward for the underfunded.
Educationals with US food and travel blogger, VisitBritain marketing and PR team in Devon for 3 days (9 pax). US Agents x 6,
Destination Forum London.
There are still partnership opportunities to attend or be involved with national and international trade shows as VisitDevon, please contact me for further details.
- SWTGF Travel Trade Showcase in Bristol. Nov 27th and 28th including hosting a FAM trip post event (Booked to attend and included in ATP £6k membership) Still time to book
- Verkantibeurs – 10th – 15th January 2018. Utrecht (partnership funding required – opportunities being discussed with SW Partnership group to keep costs to a minimum. We have £2,500 towards this. Please contact me to be part of this.
- ExploreGB – 1st – 2nd March 2018. Newcastle. (Registered to attend – sold out and on wait list but will require partner funding) **Have now secured a place to attend.
- ITB Berlin – March 2018 (To be partner funded) Again discussions with SW partnership Group. Please contact me or we will miss the chance.
- IMEX Frankfurt – May 2018 (to be partner funded – has been discussed with partners at the Business Tourism meeting on the 17th October at Sandy Park. Will send formal invitation.
- MeetGB – in London April 2018. (To be partner funded) Incentive, corporate buyers hosted by VisitEngland. Buyers from Europe, North America and UK