Message from the Chair

This has been a very active time for members of the board of Destination D&G. Much effort has been expended in talking with potential new board members, the results of this can be seen elsewhere on the site. Two of our board, Angela and Fiona, have been on the steering group, alongside D&G Council and VisitScotland, to develop and refresh the Area Tourism Strategy. For those of you who 'glaze over' at the mention of the word 'strategy', this is a vital document that will inform the progress and development of tourism in D&G. The signs are good that there will be buy in from all the public agencies as well as private business operators.

Board members have also engaged with local businesses through presentations at the ADGAP Spring Meeting and The Federation of Small Businesses recent conference. The new board met on Monday 14 June and were handed the reigns by a retiring ATP (Area Tourism Partnership) on June 29 2010.

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Newsflash

Cheque being presented

Leader Funding Helps To Secure The Future

Photo :Nicola Hill from Leader Dumfries & Galloway presents a cheque to board members from Destination Dumfries & Galloway Left to right: Gavin Graham, Derick Fraser, Nicola Hill, Alan Keith (vice-chair), Ian McAndrew, Liz Chambers (chair), Kate Kerr.

Destination Dumfries & Galloway (DD&G) is delighted to announce a £100,000 funding award from Leader Dumfries & Galloway. The European monies will, over the next two years, support the organisation to deliver industry ambitions for Dumfries & Galloway, focusing on the creative stand out for the region. The project will undertake essential market research, create an industry facing website and deliver a range of workshops and networking events. Industry priorities include a regional consumer website and seasonal marketing campaigns to promote the region which will be implemented by a full time project officer.

Destination Dumfries and Galloway recruits a host of new Board Members

Destination Dumfries and Galloway, the new regional industry led tourism organisation has recruited 8 new Board Members to swell the ranks. The new Board Members add to the breadth of representation from the diverse sectors of the tourism industry and across the length and breadth of the region.

The group is also busy formulating plans and making funding applications to take forward industry ambitions for Dumfries & Galloway.

Survey Results

Thank you to everyone who responded to the recent survey about support for DD&G and the priorities for the future. Around 100 of you replied, three quarters from the accommodation sector, with a good representation from visitor activities, attractions and other tourism related businesses.

It was encouraging to find that 92% of all respondents were supportive of the work of the DD&G; this confirms the impression gained 'on the ground' by Board members. The question regarding priorities revealed 'Marketing/Promotion of D&G outwith the region' to be your number one (99% consider it to be very or quite important). The next highest score went to 'Creating a standout website' (96.9%) and thirdly, 'Identifying and addressing gaps in the tourism product' (89%).

We are keen to take your many ideas on board and all the varied suggestions from holding a 'pick up litter day' to 'improving quality and green credentials' are most welcome----without this feedback we cannot be the effective voice of industry.

Press Trip

The Sunday Mail press trip to Ravenstone Cottages in Galloway last weekend went very well and 3x1 received excellent feedback from the journalist and his wife (an Edinburgh Evening News journalist) who compared the region's beauty to Devon and Cornwall. The owners of Ravenstone were equally delighted and generously accommodated the journalist and his family. Coverage in the Sunday Mail/Edinburgh Evening Times is expected in mid July.

http://www.ravenstonecottages.co.uk

Reach for the Stars

Latest News from the Spring into Summer Campaign

With well over 10,000 visits from the UK, our campaign website www.createscape.co.uk is proving to be a success with an average time on site of 3 ½ minutes; although pay per click is still the biggest source of visits, the number of direct responses is showing a good growth.

There are a number of PR activities in place this week which we hope will benefit operators in the region. The following report is from our PR agency 3x1.

Placed competition with Newcastle Journal to win kite surfing and stay at Tign Na Mara Hotel - to appear 23 June
Liaised with a number of hotels re daily Record travel competition but can't get anyone to provide prize value of £500
Liaised with Lead Mining Museum re photocall around gold Panning for Father's Day
Sold in feature idea around Gold Panning to Glasgow Evening Time
Liaising with Sunday Mail on family press trip for weekend 19 June
Uploaded information on Kirkudbright Jazz festival to S1 Play
Liaised with Wigtown Book festival re potential joint activity going forward
Submitted forthcoming listings to main listings guides
Researched and developed story idea for D&G as centre for outdoor theatre this summer. Identified five performances and corresponded with London's Globe Theatre to supply pictures. Writing press release for story.
Drafted press release around Teddy Bears picnic and Drumlanrig Art classes for main dailies.

Please let us know if you have any feedback/visitors as a result of these activities or if you feel you can offer a prize or promotion (see 2nd bullet point above)