15/11/11…..Tourism event inspires local businesses

REPRESENTATIVES from businesses related to the visitor economy across South Oxfordshire and the Vale of White Horse came together this week to get some inspirational handy hints on how they can attract more visitors.

More than 65 people came along to the event at Millets Farm Centre, Frilford, on Wednesday 9 November to hear presentations on attracting business, media interest and funding.

The two hour session kicked off with a talk from television and radio presenter Wesley Smith looking at how businesses could get media attention, including why an event would receive coverage and what reporters were looking for.

Sarah Osborne from TEAM Tourism Consulting, Paul Bellchambers from The Late Chef, and Yvonne Maxwell, organiser of Thame Arts and Literary Festival, then guided the guests through the benefits of holding events, from small-scale wine tasting to full-scale town events, looking at the immediate impact and the potential lasting opportunities.

Funding was the next topic of conversation as Kate Forrest from the Southern Oxfordshire LEADER Programme provided details about how businesses could apply for funding to expand their operations.

The event concluded with Sarah Osbourne (TEAM) and Susie Hunt (Waterperry Gardens) talking about how businesses could use the local area to their advantage to get more from people who visit attractions in southern Oxfordshire.

Some comments from delegates who attended the event:
?Truly inspirational, really enjoyed it.? – Catherine Watsham, CAW Marketing.
?Wesley was very enlightening. All the speakers were good.? – Richard Marfell, Carswell Gym.
?Very informative, lots of common sense.? – Susan Carter, Royal County of Berkshire Show.

The free event was organised by the South Oxfordshire and Vale of White Horse District Councils.

Cllr Elaine Ware, cabinet member for economic development for the Vale, said: ?By holding events like this we are able to work with businesses to attract more people to the area and help the local economy thrive. This is especially important in the current economic climate when attracting more people can make a massive difference to the whole area.?

Cllr Judith Nimmo-Smith, cabinet member for economic development for South Oxfordshire, said: ?Many of those who attended the event expressed how impressed they were with the advice on offer, and hopefully they will be able to go away and use it to help their businesses develop which will have a knock on effect locally.?

SOURCE: Press release