An update from our General Manager - Sally Everton

10th October 2017

Categories: Business News

Sally Everton, Visit Devon General Manager has been driving promotion and encouraging visitors into Devon.

Sally has been working on the following during August:

• Working with GWR to promote ‘Seniors’ and ‘16-25’ 50% off campaign to encourage travel to the SW but specifically Devon (links in with the Discover the World campaign launched by VisitBritain).
• Date secured for Business Tourism meeting at Sandy Park on 17^th October with 14 partners keen to develop a Devon strategy
• Launch of the new VisitBritain travel trade website to provide essential information to the international travel trade.  Upload themed itineraries, Destination information as well as promotional opportunities.
• Various media requests – which are continuous.  Amazing Destinations Magazine
• Confirmation with BS Fuji TV re 5 day filming for fairies/legends for September/October.  Itinerary, filming schedules and accommodation. **Taking place now and so far excellent feedback.
• Finalise VisitBritain Educational trip for Chinese Travel Trade (14 buyers) to Devon for a week **staying in Exeter 2 nights, lunch at LM, plus North Devon and Dartmoor.  Working with GWR
• Met with Destination Plymouth for ways to work smartly on the international platforms.  Intro paragraph on Devon included on the Mayflower 400 flyer to promote business visits and events from the US. Destination Plymouth attending ‘Meet The Buyer’ events in both Boston and NY in early Oct with VisitBritain.
• Attend Destination Britain North America in Los Angeles – 68 B2B meetings plus 11 press, partnered by VisitNorthDevon and GWR.  Postcard collateral from VisitExeter and VisitSouthDevon.  In addition to this, we had some external meetings with luxury press and agents not involved with DBNA prior and post event.
• Exeter Airport – developing new routes

Looking ahead to October

Initial follow up on the 68 B2B appointments from DBNA plus 11 press, on behalf of Devon clients who partnered us.  Also have the latest VB news and stats on the US markets.

Hosting 14 Chinese buyers from Southern China around Devon with VisitBritain.

There are still partnership opportunities to attend or be involved with national and international trade shows as VisitDevon, please contact me for further details.

• VIBE – Glasgow.  October 12^th 2017 (booked to attend as VisitDevon and included in ATP £6k membership)
• World Travel Market – London. Attending on 8^th and 9th Nov 2017

• SWTGF Travel Trade Showcase in Bristol.  Nov 27^th and 28^th including hosting a FAM trip post event (Booked to attend and included in ATP £6k membership)
• Vakantiebeurs  – 10^th – 15^th January 2018.  Utrecht (partnership funding required – opportunities being discussed with SW Partnership group to keep costs to a minimum
• ExploreGB – 1^st – 2^nd 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.
• IMEX Frankfurt  (to be partner funded – will be discussed with attending partners at the Business Tourism meeting on the 17^th October at Sandy Park.

For more information on any of the above, please contact Sally on sally.everton@visitdevon.co.uk