Here we provide a selection of the support and information sites that you may find helpful – It is in no way exhaustive
Support from the DTBF programme
Free Computer, Internet & Technology Health Checks - Are you making the best use of your office computers - accounting systems, data storage, back-up, local networking and the rest? Are you making efficient and effective use of the Internet? What do you really know about web site design, search engines, social media, email marketing and the implications of the smartphone phenomenon? How do you track the results of your online activity and ensure that your investment is producing satisfactory returns? Do you offer public Wi-Fi to your customers? Do you understand how our visitors use smartphone check-ins or how QR codes may have a role in your business? Are you sure that your business data are fully protected and that you are secure from Internet viruses, worms and trojans?
Information and communication technology [ICT] presents tourism operators with the most powerful suite of management, marketing and administrative tools ever available. The digital world encompasses in-house networking, telephony, cloud computing, the creation of compelling visual and audio content and much, much more.
If you fall within the Wales Convergence Area and run a small or medium sized accommodation business or visitor attraction with room to expand, please spare a few minutes to look at our ICT Diagnostic Case Study. If your business would benefit from one of the remaining FREE 'ICT Diagnostics' download an Application Form.
For more information, or to fill in an Application Form online, go to the Welsh Government Web Site and scroll down to foot of page. We encourage you to read and absorb the information contained in the PDF files downloadable from the web site before applying.
If you have any questions, please contact the Digital Tourism Project team at tourismICTdiagnostic@wales.gsi.gov.uk or telephone 0300 061 5616.
Innovative Pilots & Digital Communities - Do you have a great idea for a new application of digital technology? Or are you part of a group with common interests that has the potential to create an Internet community? Then we may be able to support you.
The first stage in the application process is to download and complete an Expression of Interest form. However, we recommend strongly that you read and absorb the information contained in the PDF files downloadable from the Welsh Government web site before submitting your expression of interest. Applications are reviewed on a competitive basis.
Other Sources of Advice and Assistance
The Broadband Support Scheme - Provides support funding for the purchase of alternative broadband solutions where telecommunication companies have not been able to provide a service.
Software Alliance Wales - Supports innovation and growth amongst the ICT and Software Sector within the Convergence areas of Wales. It creates a platform for developers across the region to network and share best practice, and to promote Wales as a key driving force in Software Development. Its events/training courses could be of interest to businesses in the convergence area, that may be considering developing their own software solutions.
The Centre of Excellence in Mobile Applications and Services (CEMAS) - is part funded by European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) established at theUniversity ofGlamorgan inSouth Wales. CEMAS are able to help eligible Small and Medium size Enterprises [SMEs] and start-up companies inWales develop, test and find a route to market for their app through a fully funded development programme. The dedicated team of developers at CEMAS are able to help eligible companies develop their app on a range of platforms including iOS, Android, Blackberry and Windows Phone.
Advanced Communication Technologies - Launched in autumn 2012, The ACT project aims to help SMEs in West Wales andSE Ireland develop their understanding of social media. This EU funded initiative is managed inWales bySwanseaMetropolitanUniversity and Trinity St Davids,University ofWales.
www.ecrimewales.com A partnership of organisations and agencies committed to equipping Welsh businesses with the knowledge and tools to be aware, vigilant, informed and ultimately safe from the destructive effects of e-Crime in all its forms. Contains the information you need to become better protected against the threats of e-Crime. It also contains an IT security suppliers directory and an IT security products directory.
www.business.wales.gov.uk This easy to read / navigate website has been developed by the Welsh Government to help businesses inWales access advice and guidance on a range of topics.
The Local Investment Fund (LIF) Is a package of flexible financial support to assist new and existing businesses by offering capital grants of 40% of eligible projects, subject to a minimum of £1000 and a maximum of £10000 grant.
Tourism Investment Support Scheme TISS is open to new and existing tourism businesses inWales for the upgrading the quality of facilities and for increasing capacity where there is a gap in the market. As part of this upgrade initiative, businesses are being encouraged to show how aspects of the planned upgrade will directly benefit energy efficiency / environmental improvement.
Tourism Sites and Support
Destination Marketing Wales (www.dmwales.com) The online portal for all involved in the development and delivery of the visitor experience at tourism destinations. Here you will find information about why your role in creating a successful destination is so vitally important to the tourism industry, who else is involved and where they fit in, plus lots of links to useful sites and some sample destination management tools. It is you as the deliverers that have the experiences to share, the tips to pass on, and the questions to ask of those in the know. Once signed in at The Buzz, you can create your own blog, ‘photos and podcasts, take part in the forum, and share your profile with others who in turn, can share theirs with you. You can also post news, and events on to the main page, and receive RSS and Facebook feeds, so everyone benefits from sharing their information!
www.traveltrade.visitwales.com – is the Business to Business site which promotes Wales as a top destination to the leisure travel trade and business tourism sectors including tour operators, travel agents, coach operators, professional conference organisers and destination and event management companies. It includes a range of information and contacts to help them organise client’s visits to Wales. It features inspiring itinerary ideas, the latest product news and multi-media resources such as video footage, fact files and access to over 20,000 photos of Wales’ magnificent landscape. You are encouraged to find out about registering your product by going to the ‘Register your product’ area on the ‘Contact page’.
Also to send news about new products by getting in touch at: productnews@wales.gsi.gov.uk
www.wales.gov.uk/tourism - The tourism industry section of the Welsh Government website, where you will find a plethora of information including the benefits of the Visit Wales star grading scheme, information on marketing and public relations opportunities for your business, sustainability, business support, market trends and the latest tourism industry news – and much more. Sign up to receive the Visit Wales eNewsletter from this site
www.walesonview.com - This is an online resource and contact point for the Visit Wales Image Centre: the tourism photographic unit of the Welsh Government. Via this site you can download collections of reference imagery in PDF format. Alternatively, you can place a request for a (free) bespoke search from our unique collection of high-quality promotional imagery of Wales…..That’s if you cannot find the images you want on the ShareWales Flickr Group of course!
www.visitwales.com and www.visitwales.co.uk - These are customer facing sites, which along with blog.visitwales.co.uk ; www.facebook.com/visitwales ; www.twitter.com/visitwales ; www.youtube.com/visitwales or www.flickr.com/visitwales seek to promote Tourism in Wales.
Regional Tourism Partnerships (RTPs) - Four cover North, Mid, South-West andSouth-East Wales. Their principle role is to lead the implementation of four regional tourism strategies which seek to improve the competitive performance of tourism so that it makes a better contribution to the economic and social prosperity ofWales. The RTPs work in partnership with the Visit Wales, local authorities, tourism businesses and with other organisations to undertake a range of marketing, product investment and business support activities on behalf of the tourism industry.
Wales Tourism Alliance (WTA) – A representative body - the “Voice of the Industry” - covering 23 different sector associations and member organisations (contact details on members page) that serve over 7,000 operators based in Wales.
Marketing and Promotion
Are you effectively promoting / correctly using your star quality grading on your website If you’ve a question about your star quality grading or if you’d like to apply for the first time or renew your current grading: E-mail: quality.tourism@wales.gsi.gov.uk or Telephone: 0845 010 8020. If you are using an old Tourist Board Logo or are still using your grading logo when it has lapsed there may be misrepresentation issues.
Is your business on the searchable product database? Find out how to Get your businesses featured on various tourism consumer websites
Public relations (PR) opportunities - We’re in regular contact with VisitBritain and the media in the UK and globally. Newsworthy information is passed on to journalists working on newspapers, magazines, radio and television news programmes. To feed through information email productnews@wales.gsi.gov.uk Tell us about your special offers, events or new developments - the longer the lead in time the better, ideally 3 months
Keep us updated - We're trying hard to keep our contact database up-to-date, please email us about any changes to your contact details at Visitwales.Communications@wales.gsi.gov.uk
The Wales brand website has everything you need to know about communicating the Wales brand. Whether you're talking to tourists, trading partners, students or the generally curious.
Research Information can help you as an existing or potential tourism businesses in formulate business plans and marketing strategies. For example:
- Occupancy Surveys useful to either compare known occupancy rates with the Welsh Average or for planning the potential occupancy of a new business - Participation is free and in return for supplying information, you will receive confidential individual monthly reports, which compare your results with those of your sector, region and Wales as a whole; the annual
- Visits to Tourist Attractions Report details headline findings from participating attractions throughout Wales
- Survey of Tourism Businesses (surveyed five times a year) outlines trends that the industry is noticing around key holiday periods
- Visitor Survey details what current visitors to Wales think of Wales
For questions on Visit Wales’ research work or to take part in our surveys.
Email: tourismresearch@wales.gsi.gov.uk or Telephone: 0300 061 6035
Tourism Strategies Achieving Our Potential , Coastal tourism strategy and Sustainable tourism strategies are all detailed on the Welsh Government site
Skills Support
Skilled people & quality facilities are the backbone of any quality tourism establishment or destination. There are a variety of ways to enhance the level of skills within your organisation or destination.
www.dmwales.com has information on a range of providers
Regional Tourism Partnerships (RTPs) can advise on training opportunities in your area
www.e-skills.com The Sector Skills Council for Business and Information Technology is responsible for UK IT standards and qualifications. They cover software, internet, computer gaming, IT services, telecommunications and business change and they seek to help theUK to have the IT skills it needs to succeed.
Software Alliance Wales - Supports innovation and growth amongst the ICT and Software Sector within the Convergence areas of Wales and Its events/training courses could be of interest to businesses in the convergence area, that may be considering developing their own software solutions.
The Chartered Institute of Marketing - Offer a range of resources for today's marketer including Marketing insight; Online templates and toolkits; Industry trends and case studies
Over 120 training courses to help you develop or top up your skills (including Diploma in hospitality and Tourism Marketing). Be inspired by regular topical research papers and webinars Hear from industry professionals at events near you (usually open to members and non members alike) Generate new ideas and find examples of 'how to' in member magazine Catch up on the latest marketing news with our weekly bulletin
And Network with marketers in your industry sector and others
Equality and Diversity
Information on equality strategy and legislation, be that relating to women, sexual orientation or transgender equality matters can be found on The Home Office site (information pre 4 September 2012) and on the Department for Culture Media and Sport website (information post 4 September 2012)
A summary guide to delivering equality and diversity can be found on the ACAS website
Sustainability
Tourism, perhaps more than any other industry, relies upon the integrity of the natural environment. To be sustainable, tourism will need to consider the needs and quality of life of local communities, enhance and respect culture and local traditions, and contribute to local economic prosperity as well as minimise damage to the environment.
Further Information on sustainability, be that by taking steps towards greening your business, gaining recognition for doing so by signing up to a certification or accreditation scheme, or in the wider Wales/European context, can be found on the Tourism Pages of the Welsh Government website.
The online and interactive toolkit available through Destination Marketing Wales will take you through areas where you can make changes - from managing your energy to monitoring your waste and sourcing local food - and help you to assess where you are now and develop actions to improve in the future. Business benefits include: Saving money, improving quality of your product and increased marketing opportunities.
Money saved on energy goes straight to the bottom line. Carbon Trust products and services can help you save energy, carbon and money! Visit the Wales section of their website at www.carbontrust.com to find out about the products, services and events offered to organisations in Wales and to access simple practical solutions, help and advice.
Every tonne of food waste produced costs a business around £1,800. So, don’t waste it, cut costs, prevent waste and improve your competitiveness. Resource Efficiency experts WRAPCymru have developed a comprehensive package of support specifically designed to meet the needs of small and medium businesses working in the hospitality, tourism, food and drink service and manufacturing sectors. Find out more at www.wrapcymru.org.uk
