Visit Dorset, the partnership responsible for promoting Dorset is preparing to bring a series of exclusive events to Blandford, Christchurch and Weymouth throughout October and November.
Following on from a successful first event at Athelhampton House earlier in the year to launch its re-developed website, there are three more events planned for tourism businesses across Dorset.
Visit Dorset will kick off its free series of events at the Hall & Woodhouse Brewery in Blandford on Wednesday 4 October. A panel of industry leading speakers will take part in an ‘on the sofa’ debate, covering a range of topics on digital marketing in the tourism industry. The series of events will focus on the impact digital innovation and marketing can have on a tourism business in Dorset.
Speakers at the Blandford event include Bella Lewis-Smith from Salad Creative, Dave Lakins from Key Multimedia and Steve Keenan from Travel Perspective. Topics covered will include social media, digital engagement, strategy development and how to generate more bookings. The debates will all be beginner friendly.
Tourism businesses interested in attending the event at the Hall & Woodhouse Brewery on Wednesday 4 October or the other roadshows, can register their interest at visit-dorset-blandford.eventbrite.co.uk. The Visit Dorset team will be on hand at the event to answer questions about the website and how the tourism partnership brings many benefits to its members.
The ‘on the sofa’ debates will be facilitated by Nigel Barker, digital marketing adviser for Department of International Trade in the South West.
Visit Dorset supports local businesses by providing a platform for visitors to easily plan and book their visit to Dorset. The official tourism website for Dorset, visit-dorset.com, receives over two million visits each year and is now fully responsive after a revamp earlier this year. The website includes a new dedicated industry area providing a hub of up to date information and resources for Dorset’s tourism trade.
Anthony Woodhouse, current steward of Hall & Woodhouse, attended the website launch event earlier in the year and was also on the panel of industry leading speakers. When asked about the Visit Dorset launch event, he commented: “I found this a very productive event, not only in taking a step forward towards a more united approach for tourism in Dorset, but also as an excellent networking opportunity.”
Following the event in Blandford, further roadshows will be held at The Kings Arms in Christchurch on Wednesday 1 November and also the Nothe Fort in Weymouth on Wednesday 29 November. Tourism businesses interested in attending these free events should register their interest at visit-dorset-tourism.eventbrite.co.uk.
Nick Thornley, on behalf of the Visit Dorset Tourism Partnership, said: “We were overwhelmed by the response we had from tourism businesses to our Visit Dorset website launch event at Athelhampton earlier this year. So we are holding three further events across the county over the autumn and winter so that more businesses can benefit.
“These free sessions are aimed at helping tourism businesses make the most of digital technology and the Visit Dorset team look forward to welcoming as many businesses as possible.”
Visit Dorset is a tourism partnership of Dorset local authorities with support from more than 600 local tourism businesses. The Visit Dorset Tourism Partnership is made up of the local authorities of West Dorset, North Dorset, Purbeck and East Dorset District Councils, and Weymouth and Portland and Christchurch Borough Councils. Visit visit-dorset.com for more information.
