Members' case studies
What our members tell us
Bicester Village, Oxfordshire
Bicester Village is one of nine Chic Outlet Shopping Villages operated by Value Retail and home to over 130 top designer outlet boutiques. Offering high-end value shopping to a growing market, of which up to 65% are domestic or international tourists, Bicester Village looks to promote itself as a destination in its own right.
Compleat Angler, Buckinghamshire
The award-winning Macdonald Compleat Angler has a perfect spot on the riverside at Marlow and boasts four-star accommodation, two gourmet restaurants, spa treatments and elegant boating experience aboard a classic Edwardian launch. As an Inspector’s Choice Hotel, it is no stranger to awards and was delighted to receive Large Hotel of the Year in 2008. Gaius Wyncoll, General Manager says, “To have won an Award such as this is an incredible boost to the team as well as raising the profile of the hotel. The resulting level of recognition helped to drive additional press coverage, generating more business, which is greatly welcomed, especially in a more competitive environment”.
Highview B&B, Surrey
In business since 2003, they became a member of Tourism South East in 2005. One of the first things that they did as members was attend a Smarter Marketing course which set them on the road to marketing their business, particularly on the internet. They’ve also taken advantage of member rates to attend a Quality Counts workshop in 2009. With a business that welcomes visitors from Hong Kong, Russia, Brazil and the Emirates to say nothing of near-European and Scandinavian markets, the Welcome Host International course was also worthwhile for them.
Historic Dockyard Chatham, Kent
2010 has been a landmark year for The Historic Dockyard Chatham with the opening of No.1 Smithery, an innovative new partnership with the Imperial War Museum and the National Maritime Museum to display world-class items from national collections. The launch provided the opportunity to raise awareness and attract new audiences to the 400 year old Historic Dockyard, one of Britain’s leading maritime destinations. Tourism South East’s MLA-funded 2010 Year of the Museum proved the ideal vehicle and work included a dedicated Time Out supplement.
Theatre Royal Brighton, East Sussex
Now owned by the Ambassador Theatre Group, the Theatre Royal Brighton is one of the oldest working theatres in the country. Ensconced in its Grade II-listed Regency building (home since 1806), the theatre has evolved over 200 years and was based in three other locations before the then Prince of Wales authorised the current site. Used by famous playwrights and world-class actors, it now has contemporary creative alliances that have led to many prestigious tours and openings en route to the West End.
Wightlink, Isle of Wight
Long-standing Tourism South East members Wightlink operate one of the main links to the Isle of Wight, carrying over five million passengers annually on nearly 70,000 crossings of the Solent. For fifteen years, Tourism South East has carried out annual visitor research commissioned by the Isle of Wight Council Tourism Services which involves Wightlink along with other cross-Solent operators. The research delivers key findings and tracking on total numbers, reason for visit, accommodation and attractions visited. The reports (accessible on islandbreaks.co.uk) are open to all island businesses keen to understand and develop their market.
