A December update from our General Manager

3rd January 2018

Categories: Business News

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

Happy New Year and here’s to a prosperous 2018 for us all.

Can I also remind you if you would like to partake in any
trade shows/sales missions, please take a look at the events
we are looking to attend. I need to confirm attendance in
advance as you will appreciate and need to gauge uptake.
Activity

• Completed suggested Itineraries requests for 2018 Cox & King; Black Tie Events; Crystal Travel & Tours (hosted FAM in Nov) Across the Pond Vacations; STA Travel; Enchanted France & Beyond – continuation of follow up from DBNA.
• Devon now included for FIT’s and small groups.
• Further meeting with Chic Retreats who are now working with various venues in Devon - SW Showcase
• Follow up from appointments from the SW Showcase in Bristol – ongoing
• Meeting with MICE director Adam Gabbetis of Abercrombie & Kent. Their client base are European and US, looking at incentive travel to Devon. Ties in well with our Biz Tourism strategy
• Meeting with Anna Trant of AT Events re England’s Seafood Coast for Vakantibuers. And other events.
• Attend South West Tourism Alliance dinner
• Prepare and submit copy for 8-page brochure for Devon for Vakantibuers in January.
• Working with Bradt Travel Guide for 2018 – Deborah Garrard
• Meeting with Expeadia who want to work with Devon…. ongoing
• Meeting with Millie Kerr – US journalist for United Airlines inflight magazine. Devon food trail.
• Devon tea room feature with RSVP magazine (Japanese – publication in March 2018)
• Meeting with Samantha Kirton – DART PR re various clients in Devon
• Series of 4 day enquires for 2018 for JTB Europe for Japanese Groups – submitted.
• VisitBritain – via Jane Chapman head of VB PR re feature on Agatha Christie which will be promoted to overseas markets via GLOBO TV Bureau.

Activity summary – December 2017

VisitBritain – Ed Cummins. Feature on Devon Food Festivals for early 2018

Meeting with VisitNorth Devon and VisitExmoor re Vakantibuers.

Business Tourism Meeting at Dartington Hall. Full attendance with positive steps going forward. Contact me for further details.

Various meetings with our members with regards to sales activity and becoming involved.

Prepare for Vakantibuers – stand, collateral etc.

Looking ahead to January 2018.

Vakantibeurs – 9 th – 14 th January 2018. Promoting Devon to the Dutch and Belgians over a 6 day trade show, including press, B2B and B2C

Numerous Partnership Opportunities 2018

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

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. Funding required

ITB Berlin – March 2018 (To be partner funded) Again discussions with SW partnership Group. Please contact me or we will miss the chance. Key to growing the German market

IMEX Frankfurt – May 2018 (to be partner funded –business tourism) has been discussed with partners at the Business Tourism meeting on the 17 th October at Sandy Park. Will send formal invitation. Already sold out, but being new to market – VisitEngland will allow us to stand share

MeetGB – in London April 2018. (To be partner funded – business tourism) Incentive, corporate buyers hosted by VisitEngland. Buyers from Europe, North America and UK

Destination Britain North America – Oct 2018 (To be partner funded – 25% already secured) Venue TBA by Visit Britain in early 2018. 75% sold out. Registered already

Activity summary – December 2017

Destination Britain China – Nov 2018 (To be partner funded –) Venue TBA by March 2018
ITBM – Nov 2018 (To be partner funded – business tourism)
WTM – November 2018. Excel London. (To be partner funded)

Sally Everton
Interim General Manager
December 2017