Update from Sally Everton - Director
1st December 2018
Visit Devon’s Director, Sally Everton, has been busy driving promotion internationally and encouraging visitors to come to Devon.
In November Sally has been working on the following:
Domestic:
- Confirm membership with the MIA for VisitDevon. Complete our profile for Business Tourism. Benefits to our members with the AIM accreditation (found in venue searches etc)
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Respond to press request for Sunday Woman to attend Exeter for the Christmas market in Dec via Onshore
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Prepare appointments for WTM for VisitDevon - press, agents and tour operators
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3 days attendance at World Travel Market - mix of domestic, international and DEF
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(meetings benefitting VisitDevon, both domestically, internationally as well as the DEF project)
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Literary Greats from Devon - write copy for press and IBTM VisitEngland theme
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South West Tourism Alliance dinner attendance
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Research and confirm IBTM appointment schedule (24 confirmed) Conference English Riviera a further 26 joint partners at IBTM Mix of UK and international buyers
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Follow up on appointments World Travel Market. Further appointments as a result.
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Attended IBTM 2018 - 3 days of face to face appointments. Stand shared with Conference English Riviera. Ideal platform to continue our journey on raising the awareness to get Devon as a recognised business events destination. VisitExeter partnered us and attended as a delegate. 29 face to face appointments, attended the Incentive England Dinner as guest and educational with Incentive England on December 11th. Meeting with VB to grow this particular sector with diverisity of Devon's offering in this sector. 50% domestic buyers 50% international; Incentive enquiries already in - one from German agent obo Banking Corporation 6-70 pax; Sept/Oct 2019 3 nights 4 days. Distribute to appropirate venues; another one for incentive for group - Horseback riding Bovey Castle, Liberty Trails; Meeting with CVent - re Helms Briscoe enquiries; Dutch tour groups 30- 80 pax company groups via Eurostar. Land Rover experiences ; Right Angle Events interested in Team Development programmes Dartmoor and Torquay. English Riviera Centre - 900 4 day event for 2020 amongst others.
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Meetings with various members/Area Tourism Partners re VisitDevon and being included in activities. Ongoing throughout the month, many wanting regular update on activity and how they can become involved.
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Respond to media requests for visits and image library.
Press and blogger pieces:
Not had time to source my clippings folders yet - will update for next month
International:
- Various updates for VisitEngland and VisitBritain
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Host 4 day educational for Indulgent Vacations to East Devon, South Devon, Exeter and Dartmoor - US agent
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3 days attendance at World Travel Market - mix of domestic, international and Discover England Fund - ACP Rail, Indulgent Vacations, David Urquhart, GWR, AirBnB Experiences, Exeter.
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(meetings benefitting VisitDevon, both domestically, internationally as well as the DEF project) Airport and new routes, English Heritage, National Trust, Flybe, Troll Tours, Key Educational Travel, Authentic Vacations, British Country Sports, Ethiad, Connections (Luxury)
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Enquiries for Devon from Black Tie Events (DBNA - April May 2019 14 day)
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Liaise with House of Britain with regards to Vakantibeurs 2019
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5 day booking for Travel Age West Journalist Samantha Davis-Friedman US returning guest from FAM in April 2017 to LM
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IBTM - mix of meetings with international buyers mostly Belgium, France, German and US. 1 Chinese - 50% domestic buyers 50% international. Went under my umbrella of Sally Everton Associates as not key focus market for us as VisitDevon. That said I 'product tested' this market as a destination by badging it as VisitDevon which really worked. 60 face to face appointments with mainly Chinese buyers but also from Hong Kong, S Korea and Japan. Growth in this market (ecl Japan) was 75% year on year and spend up by 447% with a spend of £15.1 Million (see attached screen grabs) Clovelly was of particular interest, coupled with accommodation suitable for larger tours as well as the luxury sector. Some MICE as a result of industry from Asian markets in the UK
Discover England Project
- Recruit Elaine Budd as our Project co-ordinator for the length of the project
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Confirm Simon Bradley based in NY as our US researcher
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Prepare appointments for WTM for the DEF project - press, agents and tour operators
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3 days attendance at WTM - mix of domestic, international and DEF (meetings benefitting VisitDevon, both domestically, internationally as well as the DEF project)
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Present DEF projects for SW England at South West Tourism Alliance Conference Tiverton
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Pinpoint Britain - enquiry as result of DBNA and DEF project - Tour group of 20 Devon Dorset and Cornwall
PARTNERSHIP OPPORTUNITIES - Trade show and press/buyer educationals
Vakantiebuers - January 2019 Utrecht. To be partner funded
The New York Travel Show - January 26 - 29th 2019
ITB - March 2019 - Berlin To be partner funded.
MEETGB - April 2019 Windsor. To be partner funded
Pre and Post ExploreGB educationals with a mmix of buyers and press. PRE is US and Canada; and post is Japanase/Chinese. Please advise if you would like to participate with offering assistance with hosting these. Approx 20 delegates on each.
IMEX Frankfurt May 2019 To be partner funded
ExploreGB - May 2019 To be partner funded (already booked)
The Meetings Show - 26th - 18 June 2019 To be partner funded
Destination Britain North America - DATE and venue to be Advised Oct 2019 To be partner funded
WTM November London November 2019 To be partner funded
Press and FAM visit requests - national and provincial. Requests covering all areas