Tourism chief launches official Broads website
England’s top tourism boss launched this year’s official tourism campaign for the Broads as he announced that Britain’s Magical Waterland has been selected as one of only four “Pathfinder” destinations in the UK.
Chief Executive of Visit England, James Berresford officially launched the website www.enjoythebroads.com and its accompanying brochure for 2011 on Friday 18 March at Norfolk Broads Direct, Wroxham. He then cruised aboard the Vintage Broadsman to Wroxham Broad, taking the chance to talk to representatives of local businesses.
Pathfinder destinations are selected for special promotion by Visit England to ensure they become recognised internationally as great holiday spots. The Broads will work with the other three chosen destinations, the Peak District, Manchester and Bath to share knowledge and best practice.
Mr Berresford made his first ever visit to the Broads last summer and pledged then to throw his support behind the Broads which he said deserved to play a “much bigger role on the world stage”.
At the time he said: “My breath has been taken away by the range and scale of the product and by the professionalism of the businesses. This part of the world offers a genuine holiday experience that competes with anywhere in the world and Visit England will make sure that we can give as much profile as possible to this part of England.”
Bruce Hanson, Head of Tourism at the Broads Authority said: “This is great news for the Broads in these difficult times. There are more than 50 destination management organisations in England, and all of them are looking for Visit England’s marketing spotlight to fall upon them. To be selected as one of just four ‘Pathfinders’ is a tremendous coup for the Broads, and it is welcome recognition for the hard work of the partnership that has been forged between the tourism industry and the Broads Authority.”
The Enjoythebroads campaign is an annual collaborative campaign between the Broads Authority and Broads Tourism, which is made up of local businesses, to promote the Broads as a leading tourism destination.
Acting chairman of Broads Tourism Barbara Greasley said: “The addition of the website makes this year’s Enjoy the Broads campaign the best yet. It’s a vital tool for anyone visiting the Broads. And Visit England giving us their backing is the icing on the cake.”
The enjoythebroads.com website has been created as the ‘one stop shop’ for people planning a holiday here. It has a welcome video by Broads sailor Nicholas Crane, presenter of the BBC Coast series. It covers everything there is to see, do, how to do it and where to stay both on land and water with video guides to boat handling for novices and suggestions for walks and cycle routes.
A section on learning about the area includes video clips which bring Broads animals and plants into sharp focus. It explains the boating and built heritage of the Broads focussing on churches, windmills, museums and historic houses.
The website also lists the best eating establishments which have received the Broads Authority’s Quality Charter, which is a mark of excellence. The greenest businesses in the Broads which have been accredited by the Green Tourism Business Scheme are also there for the picking.
For people with disabilities there is a special page on accessible boat trips, walks and facilities.
Broads lovers are also invited to share their experiences by posting geo-tagged photos of their favourite haunts on Flickr, so others can discover the places for themselves, as well as publishing stories of their exploits. Celebrities, including Gryff Rees-Jones and Julia Bradbury have recorded their experiences.
In addition to the website, this year’s Enjoy the Broads brochure gives a taste of some of the Broads highlights including boating holidays, boat trips, canoe, bike hire, walks and attractions.
A total of 175,000 copies of the free brochure are being distributed to locations within two hours drive of the Broads for visitors to pick up and use to make the most of their stay.
21/03/11
