Information and Sales network review
Enchanted Forest, © Carsten Flieger 2006
The review of the Information and Sales network was completed in March and it produced some key recommendations which have been tested out during the season (and many will continue into 2007).
An example of a trial project has been the use of white boards and Share It cards on which visitors are encouraged to give feedback on an attraction, accommodation or a restaurant. Tourist Information Centres (TICs) in Perthshire and the Borders have been displaying these boards and these personal recommendations have been welcomed by visitors.
One of the review recommendations was the need to take the service beyond the TIC, and in October, a mobile unit was set up for three weeks at the departure point for The Enchanted Forest, an event near Pitlochry. This was a successful move and appreciated by both visitors and locals.
An essential element of providing any service outside the TIC is the right technology and this has been a major focus over the past few months. A number of trials have been carried out in Ballater, Oban and Inverness to test different wireless devices. In December there is a workshop designed to test out other types of equipment.
Mobile hand held devices have been used over summer across Scotland by VisitScotland staff to capture information from customers visiting the TIC. Over 1292 responses were completed in October with both staff and services in the TIC being rated highly.
Many thanks to those industry members who completed the recent online survey on visitor information. We had 274 responses (14%) and the analysis has just been completed. An Industry Support Research Summary Report is available at www.visitscotland.org/information_and_sales_strategy.htm This (and previous) research has confirmed that there is support among industry for a regular What’s On event list for local areas. A first pilot has already taken place in both Fife and Highland and there will be a second pilot to test other areas in the New Year.
For more details on Information and Sales activities, please contact Janice Mack on 0131 427 2309 or email Janice.mack@visitscotland.com
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