|
| | |
|
|
16/06/2010
Case Studies
Whitmuir Organics
Owners Pete and Heather Ritchie have grown Whitmuir Organics in the Scottish Borders from a small farming operation to the point where it is now a thriving farm shop, cafe, restaurant and gallery, employing 25 full/part time staff.
“Having farmed the north-facing land for 10 years and sold some limited produce out of the back of a silage shed, we were faced with the decision of whether to continue to ‘tick over’ in this way, or try and expand the business by exploring new markets and products”, says Pete.
...Read More
|
|
|
28/05/2010
Presentations
Insights and Tips from Tourism Innovation Day 2010
Insights and Tips that were gathered from the industry and shared at the ‘So What...!’ workshops at Tourism Innovation Day
Our inspirational Speakers were:
Audrey Hogan - Caley Cruisers Maggie Pickens - St Andrews Coach Houses
Paul Easto - Wilderness Scotland John Strachan - Maximillion
Bill Barber - Bluebell Croft Craig Stevenson - Braehead Foods
David Johnston - Montpeliers
...Read More
|
|
|
28/03/2010
Case Studies
Scottish Snow Sports Marketing Group
Changing weather conditions have led to a perception that there is rarely sufficient snow for skiing or snowboarding in the UK. The snow which paralysed the south-east of England in February 2009, however, raised awareness of the opportunities and this led to 160,000 visitors choosing Scotland for their ski holiday last winter.
In addition to developing a range of innovative promotional campaigns, Scotland’s mountain snowsports areas are also diversifying to ensure that they have a year-round product and more predictable income streams.
...Read More
|
|
|
28/03/2010
Case Studies
Edinburgh Self Catering
Patricia Corney has been operating Edinburgh Self Catering, a company offering a range of apartments to let across the capital, since 2001. She first introduced feedback cards into the apartments four years ago.
The ‘Listening To Our Visitors’ guide gave me a much-needed ‘poke in the ribs’ to start making improvements to what we offer”, says Patricia. “The key message which came out loud and clear is that successful operators are the ones who pay attention to what their customers are telling them”.
...Read More
|
|
|
28/03/2010
Case Studies
Ravelaw Bed & Breakfast
Rosemary Gaston, owner of Ravelaw B&B in the Borders town of Duns, read the Listening To Our Visitors guide last summer and says it provided her with the spur she needed to make some much-needed changes to her business.
“Ravelaw is situated in a very rural location”, says Rosemary. “Over the last few years we’ve seen visitors decrease, but despite this I did very little to try and change the situation. Once I had read the guide, however, it became clear that if I was to move forward I would need to be much more proactive.”
...Read More
|
|
|
28/03/2010
Case Studies
Marthrown of Mabie
Pam Hazelhurst, owner of Dumfries-based bunkhouse and activity centre Marthrown of Mabie, attended a ‘Listening To Our Visitors’ workshop earlier this year. As a direct result of the workshop, Pam has developed and implemented a programme of customer feedback which is being used to enhance the visitor experience at Marthrown.
Pam says: “ It was great to be able to network with other operators in a similar position to ourselves and to swap tips and ideas. Until I attended the workshop we hadn’t formally asked our guests for feedback, but as soon as the workshop was over I set about creating a customer feedback form which is now in use right across the business".
...Read More
|
|
|
28/03/2010
Case Studies
Fairmont Hotels & Resorts
Fairmont Hotels & Resorts, who own the 5 star Fairmont St Andrews, have created a new online community platform, www.everyonesanoriginal.com.
The new site will serve as a virtual gathering place for Fairmont guests, colleagues, and others, and be an interactive environment where fans of Fairmont can post photos or video from a memorable trip, participate in exclusive polls and contests, access exclusive hotel and destination content, and speak to other site users about their Fairmont travel experiences.
...Read More
|
|
|
28/03/2010
Case Studies
Breadalbane Tourism Group
The Breadalbane Tourism Group has launched a range of ready-made visitor packages celebrating the glorious outdoors and diverse larder of this fascinating region, in a bid to increase low season business.
The initiative grew from the area’s participation in a ‘Planning to Succeed’ pilot programme, part-funded by Scottish Enterprise.
Ken Chew, Chair of the Breadalbane Tourism Group says: “Part of the scheme is aimed at individual business development, however the real message that was brought to us by programme leaders was how much more we can achieve by working together rather than in competition”.
...Read More
|
|
|
28/03/2010
Case Studies
Glamis Castle
Glamis Castle launched a festive programme six years ago, with assistance from Scottish Enterprise Tayide. A full programme of events, including themed tours, storytelling, face painting, Santa’s Grotto, carol concerts and floral art displays, now runs throughout November and December.
Gill Crawford, the Castle’s Business Manager, says: “An additional 8,500 people visit Glamis during November and December, creating a ticket, catering and retail revenue stream at a time when the castle would normally be closed”.
...Read More
|
|
|
28/03/2010
Case Studies
Camera Obscura
Trip Advisor is widely recognised as being used by travellers to check out accommodation, however what’s less well know is that it’s increasingly being used as a research resource for visitor attractions too.
Andrew Johnson from Camera Obscura in Edinburgh says: “We paid no attention to Trip Advisor until they contacted us in November 2008 to say we were the number one thing ‘to see or do’ in Edinburgh and to ask if we wanted to use their ‘badge’ on our website”.
...Read More
|
|