How to work with the international travel trade to attract more visitors Overview VisitWiltshire and the South West Travel Trade Group are working with VisitEngland on a programme of international travel trade activity to promote South West England. This activity is supported by VisitBritain, and brings together partner destinations from across the region. The £5m South West Tourism Growth Fund is a central government funded programme of activity, supported by match funding by partners in the public and private sectors. Working with ETOA we are delighted to invite tourism suppliers and destinations from across the South West to a training workshop. During the day you will: Gain a clear understanding of the motivators for inbound travel and the key behavioural characteristics of the inbound visitor, supported by insights from VisitBritain territory teams. Gain an insight into the tourism industry in North America, Australia, New Zealand, German speaking markets, Netherlands and Flemish Belgium, Ireland and Scandinavia and how the outbound industry works in these markets to secure bookings into the UK. Gain practical information from tour operators that you can implement within your business to ensure that you are best placed to receive inbound group and individual/FIT visitors via the trade. Gain practical tips and advice about working with your local Destination Management/Marketing Organisation and other tourism businesses to ensure that you are getting the maximum benefit from collaborative working. Travel Trade Business Development – How to work with the international travel trade to attract more visitors will take place on: Wednesday 10th February Friday 12th February Lydiard House Conference Centre, Tregoze, Swindon, Wiltshire Paintworks, Bristol Wednesday 17th February Eden Project, Bodelva, Cornwall Tuesday 15th March Bournemouth Hilton, Bournemouth The day will comprise a morning of presentations, followed by break-out sessions to assist individual businesses with bespoke questions and issues. Event Schedule 9am 9:30-10am 10-10:45 10.45-12pm 12-1pm 1-2pm 2-4:30pm 4:30pm Registration/Teas and coffees Introductory comments Session One Session Two Session Three Lunch 4 x 30 minute slots where the speakers/experts will rotate between groups gathered around tables sharing more insights Close Booking Information Only £25 per person including VAT and booking fee To book one of the dates above please click here Contact Please contact Arran Wiltshire if you have any questions awiltshire@etoa.org The Speakers Tour Operator Liaison – Nick Greenfield (Head of Tour Operator Relations) Nick Greenfield is a main point of contact for tour operators at ETOA, involving members in all aspects of the association from meetings and seminars to major workshops such as the Global European Marketplace (GEM). He has 20 years of experience in the travel industry, gaining firsthand knowledge working as a guide across Europe and managing European operations for the National Educational Travel Council. Since joining ETOA he has spoken at various conferences and trade shows such as ITB Berlin, the Economist EU-Southeast Europe Summit and the OECD International Transport Forum, as well as presenting at the European Parliament. He has also been invited by city destinations such as Paris, Barcelona and Amsterdam to explain the tour operator sector and provide ideas for their tourism policy Linda Haydon – Group Tourism Manager Linda has a wealth of experience in group tourism having worked as both a Blue Badge London guide and a European tour guide before joining The Travel Corporation as Director of Operations for Insight Vacations and later taking on the role of Product Development Director for Trafalgar Tours. She has been invited to explain the work of ETOA at several European Conferences and is now representing ETOA on the newly formed European Union Low Season Tourism Initiative Board in Brussels. Market Expert – Paul Rickard (Research Consultant) Paul is responsible for ETOA’s market research and insights. He joined the organisation after five years as tourism analyst at London & Partners and its former agency Visit London. His remit at ETOA includes the regular evaluation of the European tourism market, trends analysis and researching the impact of regulatory change on the market. As an ex-Mintel experienced research director, he is also responsible for managing bespoke research analysis for individual ETOA partners. Inbound tour operators A tour operator will present at all of the workshops and training sessions. All operators will have hands-on experience working in the inbound market and have experience creating new programmes for their customers. They will also have experience contracting - booking and securing hotels, attractions and attractions, which have met the criteria that is appropriate to their customer, the inbound visitor. Workshop Format Session One 10-10.45am │ The Inbound Visitor Paul Rickard will give the audience a clear presentation outlining the current inbound market to the UK and its regions, and will set the performance of the UK in the competitive context of European destinations and the rest of the World. The presentation will then outline the behavioural characteristics of the visitors to the UK, as well as highlighting what they like to do and what might attract the visitor and make them feel most welcome. Session Two 10.45-12pm │The UK as an Inbound Market Nick Greenfield will give the audience an understanding of how the inbound visitor goes about buying their holidays and experiences. The presentation will outline the key players in the market and how they entice their visitors to buy their tours. Nick will give some insights into how the inbound tourist consumes media and destination relevant information and what they are likely to Session Three 12-1pm (followed by lunch break) │ The Inbound Visitor and the UK – how you can satisfy them Our tour operator speaker will share advice and tips based on first-hand knowledge of the inbound visitor. They will give a professional insight into the way tourism business can best satisfy the needs of the inbound visitor – what needs to be adapted and changed and what support and information business should provide. They will also share some personal stories and anecdotes about when things go right and wrong After the lunch break, the room will breaks into groups and create tables/groups. Over a 2 hour period, each of the speakers will rotate around the tables for 30 minutes per table answering hands-on face to face advice about topics pertinent to those businesses.