Two Wales based brands collaborate for the new Celtic Collection hotel launch in Pembrokeshire
Newport based office furniture manufacturer Bisley has revealed its latest project with one of the UK’s leading hotel groups, The Celtic Collection.
Opened in April 2022 and situated in the heart of Milford Haven, the Tŷ Hotel Milford Waterfront boasts unbeatable views overlooking Milford Marina on the Pembrokeshire coast.
Managed and operated by the team responsible for the Celtic Manor Resort, the new Tŷ Hotel is part of the expanding portfolio in The Celtic Collection and the Tŷ Hotels family.
This major collaboration has seen Bisley design, produce and install a bespoke range of furniture for the hotel’s 100 bedrooms.
The collaboration within the hospitality sector is the latest in a string of significant projects for Bisley, whose history lies primarily in office furniture design and manufacture, where the firm is known for a number of iconic heritage design classics, including the MultiDrawer which was originally designed in 1958.
Other recent non-hospitality focused projects undertaken by Bisley in Wales, include the new BBC Cymru headquarters in Cardiff city centre and projects on behalf of the Welsh Government.
For the Celtic Collection group, the Bisley furniture range was designed in collaboration with Tŷ Hotels and manufactured to the highest standards at Bisley’s Newport factory, which is located just a few miles from the Celtic Collection’s flagship location.
Designed with style, functionality, and durability in mind, featured pieces include a super-sized, padded headboard upholstered with an easy-to-clean, anti-microbial fabric, and installed with coordinating bedside tables, a number of unique mirrors, a dressing table with a black exposed steel frame and large double wardrobes.
Graeme Matthews, Bisley’s Director of UK Sales said; “At Bisley, we’ve worked on a number of significant residential and hospitality projects.
“Our latest partnership with the Celtic Collection has enabled us to continue growing our market share in the hospitality sector, as well as our wood offering in the industry.”
“As a business, we’re fully committed to supporting our local economy, especially when our Bisley headquarters and factory still remain in Newport, South Wales. Our work for the Tŷ Hotel has demonstrated our capabilities, as a manufacturer, to work on large-scale projects while delivering high-quality and functional products within the timescales and budget provided by our clients.”
Celtic Collection Cluster Hotel Director, Matt Barnby, said; “The casegoods furniture designed and installed by Bisley is the perfect fit for the contemporary look and feel of our bedrooms at Tŷ Hotel Milford Waterfront, and they finish off the rooms perfectly. We always look to work with local Welsh suppliers where possible and, when we decided to broaden our horizons to West Wales, it was great to be able to take a trusted supplier from Newport with us on the journey.”
For more information about Bisley’s latest products and services, visit www.bisley.com.
Wales-based adventure company Zip World will soon be flying high above Rhyl, with the introduction of their 20th adventure, Skyflyer.
Launching as a flagship attraction at the new Zip World Rhyl site, the airship, located along the beachfront, will be the ultimate sight-seeing adventure.
Visitors will be elevated 400ft in the air to soak up the panoramic views of the stunning north Wales coast and beyond.
The blimp-style airship is the latest ground-breaking innovation in the arena of adventure activity attractions and is the first of its kind in the world.
The attraction has been designed to be accessible to all, including wheel-chair users and features other disability-support equipment.
Zip World owner and president Sean Taylor said:
“It’s an exciting time for Zip World, opening our fourth site in north Wales and bringing adventure to the ever-growing town of Rhyl.
“It also marks an exciting time for Zip World, with the opening of our fifth site in Wales. We can’t to create more unforgettable experiences for the whole family in Rhyl.”
Zip World Rhyl will join Zip World’s three sites in North Wales, and one in South Wales.
Best known for the world’s fastest zip line in Penrhyn Quarry, which reaches speeds of 100mph, the adventure company has helped to cement north Wales as the adventure capital of Europe.
Jamie Groves, Managing Director of Denbighshire Leisure Ltd, said:
“Following the success of all the company investments in Rhyl, we are thrilled to be working in partnership with such a highly regarded brand as Zip World to deliver this new attraction and hospitality offer next door to the Rhyl pavilion.
“This is a fantastic new partnership and a great endorsement for the strength of the brands working together.
“Attracting a brand such as Zip World truly demonstrates Rhyl is the up-and-coming destination, and the place to invest.
“Reaching from Moel Famau, to the Great Orme in Llandudno, all the way to Liverpool and Ireland on a clear day, this experience is one not to be missed for couples, families, day-trippers and holiday-makers.
“We cannot wait for visitors to experience Skyflyer, taking off from Rhyl this Summer!”
With plenty of parking nearby, and a plethora of shops, entertainment and food and beverage outlets in Rhyl itself, this is the perfect way to lose a couple of hours, whether visitors are local or from afar.
Skyflyer will be open from the 6th July, and will be joined on-site by Big Red, a mini zip line perfect for families.
Tickets are on sale via the Zip World website from May 13th 2022.
CROWDS gathered to celebrate the beginning of what’s set to be another busy season at a leading family-run holiday park in Rhyl.
Party in the Park, a free event hosted by the fifth-generation tourism group Lyons Holiday Parks, drew crowds of hundreds to their flagship site, Lyons Robin Hood, on Saturday.
The spectacular event, aimed at the park’s 1,000+ static holiday home owners and visiting holidaymakers, follows on from the victory of last year’s festival which was a roaring success.
The initial Party in the Park festival held in August 2021 was the first of its kind for the region, offering keen tourists and Rhyl regulars the chance to party, drink, and dance for the first time as lockdown restrictions eased.
This April, event organiser Martin Mugglestone – who’s acclaims include ? – said hosting the festival without limitations and government guidelines was a “breath of fresh air.”
He said: “Despite the record-breaking success seen across the tourism and hospitality industries last season, there were so many rules and regulations to take into account. We tried our utmost to deliver a memorable experience to our guests throughout the 2021 peak season, but organising this year’s festival was our first proper glimpse at ‘normality’ following an unprecedented couple of years.
Beth Hughes, PR Executive for Lyons Holiday Parks, said: “We noticed that our guests were much more relaxed this time around, and that there was a lot less confusion, questions and tension about rules such as face coverings, one-way systems for toilets, and of course, the social distancing rules.
“Watching the hundreds of partygoers dance together, hug and even get their faces painted was the lift we all needed. There’s so many variables causing worries in the world at the moment, so for us to host something so fun and work together as a team to deliver a smash-hit success of a festival, and to watch guests enjoying themselves without a care in the world, was exactly what we wanted and needed to see.”
Having gone from strength to strength since last summer, Party in the Park now represents the exciting progress Lyons Holiday Parks’ entertainment and hospitality teams are making.
Martin added: “Now we’ve witnessed ourselves just how popular these festivals can be, there’s definitely scope for bigger events at our other 14 holiday parks not just on the coast, but in the countryside too. We’ve certainly noticed that people want to be outside, want to dance and sing along like they used to before the pandemic, and there’s definitely plans on the horizon to deliver similarly exciting events to locals and holidaymakers alike over the next couple of years.”
Accommodating the staycation boom’s influx of guests and tourists is of utmost importance to the Lyons group, who are committed to nurturing North Wales’ reputation as a thriving, fresh and popular tourist destination.
Joseph Lyons Mound, company director, said: “The 2022 season is well underway, and things are looking very busy over the next few months. For the past 100 years, we feel we’ve done everything we can to help promote North Wales as a fantastic family holiday destination, and guest experience is at the heart of all we do.
“This month, we celebrated the launch of our Coast Bar at Lyons Robin Hood, which has gone down a treat with guests and owners – especially over the bank holiday Easter weekend and during peak times.”
The Coast Bar, located next to the iconic Pirate Island Crazy Golf Course by the entrance to the park, was built solely to accommodate the customer ‘spill over’ and ensure guests and owners could enjoy the on-park entertainment schedule and refreshments.
Joseph added: “The more guests we welcome, the more footfall our local economy sees, which is why we’re always keen to expand our portfolio and develop our facilities. The more facilities we open and the more guests we welcome, the more employees we need – not just behind our bars when it opens, but from construction support to suppliers and trades. It’s a glorious cycle, and we’re always looking at how we can improve our parks, strengthen our workforce, and boost our local economy.”
The next Party in the Park festival will take place on Saturday, August 27th at Lyons Robin Hood from 12pm.
SEALIFE Blackpool is today encouraging families to become mini explorers and play a crucial role in the conservation of the Fylde coast this Easter.
The expedition could not be more exciting – or important – as this ‘Easter egg hunt’ with a difference sees children and adults being urged to scour the coastline for shark and ray eggs.
Nicknamed ‘mermaid purses’, these egg cases are what’s left behind by ray and shark babies as they hatch in the waters off our coasts, and are renowned for being washed up on the beach at this time of the year and as the warmer weather approaches.
The rays and sharks lay their eggs at sea and the eggcases can stick themselves to rocks and survive for up to 12 months, depending upon the species of ray.
SEALIFE Blackpool is supporting The Shark Trust in this initiative – The Great Eggcase Hunt – which has been running for almost 20 years and poses the perfect opportunity for families to get out and learn about our coastlines this Easter break, while making a positive impact on local wildlife.
Explorers taking part are encouraged to take photographs, note the location, date and time, and check tide times to keep safe.
This information can then be uploaded to The Shark Trust website enabling experts to analyse trends and breeding across coastlines and look at how the Fylde coast compares to the rest of the UK.
Katie Seddon, Aquarist at SEALIFE, said: “Following an increase in eggs found on the Fylde coastline, it’s important to keep track of the ray population and The Great Eggcase Hunt is an educational way for mini explorers to do just that.
“The research also allows scientists to identify species that may be having difficulties breeding due to the impact of trawler fishing and, as such, organisations like The Shark Trust can look at how we help improve the habitats of these creatures.”
The Great Eggcase Hunt began in 2003 following a chance find on a beach in Devon. The project quickly developed with the aim of getting as many people as possible out hunting for eggcases and recording their finds.
As part of its Easter schedule of events, SEALIFE Blackpool is offering free trail cards to those looking to take part in a hunt, lending a helping hand so families know what to look out for during their mini expeditions.
‘Breaking the bias’ is the theme of this year’s International Women’s Day campaign, and today, we check in with Lyons Holiday Park’s very own female ‘tradies’ who are proud and passionate about representing the female workforce in what’s considered a male-dominated sphere.
Survey results from a Go Compare found there has been a 366% increase in young females taking on apprenticeships in construction and engineering in the past five years.
Shelby Martin, 24, (pictured above) is the latest addition to the Lyons group’s maintenance department and is happiest when snagging caravans along the coast. According to this survey, this type of ‘handywoman’ role is only occupied by 0.66% of females in the UK, with plumbers, painters, and decorators taking up the top spots.
“It’s really hands-on stuff, traditionally ‘men’s jobs’ but it makes me feel empowered. I’ve always been into stuff like that though, I love using tools.”
Having grown up close to her uncle, and having ‘hung out with lads’ in school, this lover of the outdoors and DIY has never felt pressured into fitting into stereotypical moulds. She said: “I’ve never had to prove anything – I just do what I can to do my job.
“Even in college, I was the only girl, and I was never singled out. It’s just me. I’m more one of the lads really.”
The qualified mechanic carried this confidence and self-belief with her when she began her role as a maintenance technician at Lyons Holiday Parks. With over 400 employees, the fifth generation, family-run business is keener now more than ever to break the bias surrounding gender in the workplace, and maintain their stance as diverse, equitable and inclusive employers.
“There’s no better gender. We’re all equals,” Shelby added. “At Lyons, people don’t see me as a woman: they see a person.
“Trade jobs aren’t just exclusive to one gender. I’ve been working in a hands-on trade type role since I left school. It’s important that I’m treated like a human that matters to me.
“When I worked for a courier company, some of the managers saw gender and not the person. In the morning, when we were unloading the van, I would be picking up heavier parcels than the lads – I didn’t have to prove anything, but I could do as good a job as the lads.”
Shelby attributes this attitude towards women in the workplace as a “lack of education and understanding” as to what women are capable of, both physically and mentally. It’s now her goal to inspire other women to step up and follow their career dreams.
“I think a lot of women who work in the UK feel like they have to prove themselves, especially in male-dominated roles. It depends on the person. If you’re confident like I am, then I don’t think so, but I know a lot of women in roles like mine do feel like that.”
Breaking the bias surrounding gender-based roles is something Shelby feels proud of, especially when she tells people what she does for a living. “People are really surprised. I think it’s more the fact that you look like ‘that’ but are able to do the things I do.”
This is down to the stereotypes associated with being a woman, such as ‘attractive’ or ‘feminine,’ according to Shelby. She added: “But when I turn around and say I’m a qualified mechanic and qualified in land-based engineering, they’re shocked. That makes me proud, definitely. This is me; this is what I do. I know how to drive tractors, how to fix tractors, I’ve done ploughing, spread seeds on farms.”
“The goal is for more women to feel encouraged. The more women like me – in mechanic, maintenance, grounds, and farming jobs, even football or rugby – that come out and do what men have always thought of as their roles, the more we show that we are equal. There’s no better gender. We are equals. There is no stronger sex.”
Shelby’s message of female empowerment resonates with one of the youngest team members on the construction team, Caitlin Goddard, aged 20. We asked Caitlin what it’s like being the only woman on a male-dominated team to which she answered, “I come to work and do the same labouring, plaster boarding, digging, and guttering as the lads– I just happen to be a girl, that’s all.”
She explained: “The world has developed nowadays, and women are entitled to work where they want. I think some women still do feel judged that they can’t do the same job as a man – it’s the biggest challenge to women in the male-dominated workplace today.
The Manchester born former cleaner said the best thing about her job is that there are no limitations and feels as though she can do anything with the support of her manager, Gavin Taylor, who ‘treats me like one of his own.’
“I don’t get treated different by anyone though because I’m a woman. I’m just one of the team. They see me as ‘Kev’,” a nickname that Caitlin acquired during her time as a recruit on the DWP’s Kickstart scheme which aimed to tackle unemployment.
It’s this family-focused feeling that has enabled the 96-year-old company to grow from strength to strength, retaining over 70% of permanent team throughout the pandemic, and employing more cross-department female team members than any other private holiday park operator in Wales.
The groups mission statement, penned by the recently appointed Head of Operations, Nikki Rathie, promises to deliver the ‘Lyons family spirit’ across all departments.
The recent appointment of a female head of operations is further testament to the company’s evolution into a forward-thinking organisation which showcases female talent, helps call out gendered actions and assumptions, and maintains gender equality even in senior positions.
Caitlin – who loves working on our building site
Last year, the group celebrated the fact that the majority of senior roles were occupied by women – and that figure is only growing with the recent appointment of Christina Bellis, park manager for Lyons Lido Beach and Lyons Mounds Holiday Park; Sarah Shaw, general manager for the Nant Hall in Prestatyn; Joan Matischok, hotel and bar manager at Lyons Woodlands Hall in Ruthin; Kat Williams, bar manager at Lyons Eryl Hall in St Asaph; Kelly Lees, complex manager at Lyons Robin Hood; Jackie Bruder, bar manager for Lyons Cabaret Club; Ailsa Morris, head of food and beverage for the Lyons group; and Amy Norris, head of marketing for the group.
Caitlin, the ‘cub’ who has now become the ‘queen’ of the Lyons building site, said this International Women’s Day: “I think women should be encouraged to step up and work in the jobs they want to. In ten years, I want to see more women on my team. I think that will happen; the world has come a long way. Back in the day, you’d never see a woman on a building site. But I’m here every day proving women can do anything they put their mind to.”
Location: Lyons Robin Hood, Rhyl Cost Road, Rhyl, LL18 3UU
INDUSTRIES severely impacted by the pandemic are now receiving a vital boost from a leading North Wales employer.
Dozens of new positions in the hospitality, leisure, tourism and trading sectors have now been created by Lyons Holiday Parks, who run 13 parks across the North Wales Coast, in a bid to increase the region’s vitality.
Two recruitment days are to be held at Lyons Robin Hood on Tuesday, January 18th and Saturday, January 22nd at 12 noon, where potential employees can get the chance to ask questions about each role, gain an insight into the sector, and get a ‘taste of what it’s like to be part of the Lyons family.’
This recruitment reflects the family company’s aim of providing a variety of valuable employment opportunities to aspiring bar & restaurant team, tradespeople, managers, trainee lifeguards, arcade attendants, chefs, groundsmen, and maintenance team members.
Nikki Rathie, head of operations for the Lyons group, said: “These two taster sessions are the perfect opportunity for budding recruits to get a glimpse into what it’s like working for the largest holiday park operator in North Wales.
“All you have to do is turn up to our flagship park on either date, where a ‘speed interviewing’ style session will be held throughout the day. Multiple departments will be on-hand to share more about the roles we have available, and to answer any questions. We’re all about injecting fun into the things we do, and this style is something completely different to what we’ve done before.
“We’re really excited to see the huge talent that we know lives and breathes in the North Wales area and we’re so looking forward to welcoming dozens of amazing individuals to the family.”
Lorraine Smith, HR manager, believes this open approach will incentivise those who are seeking employment to drop in and learn more about the available opportunities. Nikki emphasises that the environment will be safe for everyone, with social distancing in-place, and refreshments will be available throughout the day.
She added: “This is a great opportunity for those who may have been affected by furlough or redundancy throughout the past 18 months. We are not only hiring for seasonal and part-time staff, but opportunities are available for full-time, permanent positions too. The Lyons group are all about progression and succession: meaning not only are we interested in filling roles, but investing in people, their personal growth and their futures.”
Company director Joseph Lyons Mound said: “The pandemic has stopped many things, but the tourism sector in North Wales hasn’t. All you have to do is look at the fact we retained 160 permanent team members throughout the first lockdown of 2020 and taken on even more team in 2021.
“Things have to keep moving, and we will always be expanding. Now there’s light at the end of the tunnel, we want to do all we can to drive tourism back into North Wales and give the local economy the boost it needs and deserves.
“We’re a family business – we want to nurture progression among all employees too. And our recruitment day is the perfect first step on the recruitment ladder. Along with our Kickstart and apprenticeship schemes, we firmly believe that this is the ideal way to celebrate the return of tourism and interest in the area.”
A MULTI-AWARD-WINNING leisure group has left the challenges of Covid-19 in the shade by unveiling a new range of products and plans for further growth.
UK Leisure Living, which employs 15 staff across sites in Mochdre, St Asaph and Deeside, is receiving positive feedback and sales for the latest line in its quality outdoor selection – roofed and retractable verandas.
Managing Director Gareth Jones has also secured a partnership with Swedish manufacturer Tylo, a pioneer in the production and global distribution of saunas, steam rooms and steam showers and is remodelling their showrooms to complement existing lines including hot tubs, outdoor kitchens, and the swim-spa centre.
Having achieved record turnover this year following a post-pandemic boom he says diversifying their range gives UK Leisure Living Group an even more sustainable, long-term model for success.
“There has already been a real buzz and interest in the verandas because it is quite a well-priced product which is unique to this region and works perfectly alongside our current offering,” said Gareth.
“We’ve had particular interest from homeowners and people who are investing in properties because like last year they will be remaining in the UK this summer and spending more time in the garden.
“The verandas we offer are more functional, contemporary conservatories with a modern twist; there has been a lot of demand and we look forward to seeing how that develops over the coming weeks.”
UK Leisure Living can supply and deliver to any part of the UK and are also able to install the verandas, available to the trade and DIY professionals at reduced rates.
They are available to view online and at the ‘super showroom’ in Mochdre or Deeside; the latter opened earlier this year and is already proving a hit with customers in north east Wales and over the border into Cheshire, Shropshire and Wirral.
“Overall sales are up 134% on last year, and last year was our best ever,” said Gareth.
“We will continue to invest and grow wisely as there are challenges for all businesses in the wake of the Coronavirus pandemic and other factors, particularly a blockage and slowdown in supply from overseas.
“We are in a good place as we anticipated this could happen – notably with the hot tubs as ours come from the USA and the UK – but there will be limits for many companies in this and other sectors importing goods from Asia.
“For now, we will continue to expand and diversify with a focus on the verandas in the months ahead into autumn and winter – we anticipate interest will continue to accelerate as the wet weather draws in. Verandas offer that extra outdoor space when the typical British weather decides to strike.”
He added: “We’re very excited and have an experienced and skilled sales and service team in place to help meet the demand and ensure the business emerges from Covid-19 in a stronger position than ever before.”
The UK Leisure Living Group includes Carbon Zero, The Swim Spa Centre, The Holiday Let Advice Centre and Stop Digging! North Wales and North West.
For more information on UK Leisure Living, visit www.ukleisureliving.co.uk and follow @ukleisurelivinggroup on social media.
GLITTER, face paint, and wellies – those are the items hundreds of holidaymakers will be packing in their suitcases before heading to North Wales this summer! Party in the Park, organised by leading tourism group Lyons Holiday Parks, is set to get the beachside booming in July, and again on August Bank Holiday weekend.
The exclusive event is the first of its kind at the group’s flagship park, Lyons Robin Hood in Prestatyn, and all hands are on deck to help make this one-off event a cracker. With the majority of the UK’s leading festivals on hold for the second year running due to Covid-19 restrictions, Party in the Park organisers are hopeful that this event will bring some much-needed cheer and ‘festival vibes’ to the popular tourist resort this summer.
Guests and owners will be treated to incredible circus acts, fire-eaters, stilt walkers, as well as plenty of performances from the Robin Hood Ranger’s in-house Ents Team. Guest acts such as Dua Lipa and will also be entertaining the crowds.
Martin Mugglestone, Ents Team manager for Lyons, said planning the all-singing, all-dancing festival is bringing some spark back into the park and his team. He said: “I speak for all of us when I say a good outdoor dance, drink, and sing-along is exactly what’s needed. We’ve got everything from live music, entertainment, bars, slush puppies, popcorn, and we really appreciate everyone just wants a good time this summer.”
Marketing manager Chloe Woodcock said the festival is a step in the right direction in terms of the easing of lockdown restrictions. She said: “The fact we can actually have a festival here in North Wales, albeit limited to guests and owners, is just amazing this year. Last summer, so many people were deprived of their favourite summer events, and if we can replicate just a fragment of Glastonbury or Creamfields this year, we’ll be very happy indeed.”
Party in the Park will go ahead on August 8th Sunday, and August 30st 2021 (bank holiday Monday)
Meet the rural Hosts on Airbnb whose entrepreneurial flair has led them to open up their space to guests, creating unique and unforgettable travel experiences.
what3words and Airbnb today announce a collaboration in support of the booming demand for holiday properties in the UK, as Brits enjoy increased freedom following the latest lifting of restrictions.
As many Brits look to holiday closer to home this summer, we believe that the UK is set for a travel rebound unlike anything we have seen before. Airbnb has partnered with what3words to make it easier for anyone who wants to take advantage of the anticipated travel surge by Hosting unforgettable stays, such as those based in remote locations in the Scottish lowlands or around any one of the UK’s 15 national parks.
The location of these hidden gems and many unique stays can often be challenging to describe. Traditional addresses don’t always point you to the correct entrance, and postcodes often cover a broad area.
The partnership will see what3words and Airbnb teaming up to inspire potential Hosts with the opportunity that the summer staycation brings, kickstarting with an education Host event, and showing that with a patch of land or a spare outbuilding that can be found easily with its what3words address – any spot has the potential to become an exciting Airbnb stay this summer.
what3words has divided the world into 3 metre squares and given each square a unique combination of 3 random words: a what3words address. The ability for Hosts – whether budding new Hosts or experienced Superhosts, like Adam and Rosie’s Orchard at Aikenhead House with its remote location in the Scottish lowlands – to provide precise locations to their guests is essential to delivering a hassle-free experience.
Nearby travel has made up 82% of nights booked in the UK in 2021 so far and the percentage of rural nights booked for summer has jumped from 23% in summer 2019 to 48% in summer 2021. This sharp rise has led to significantly heightened searches for holiday homes, and entrepreneurial would-be Hosts looking to fill that demand.
With what3words, Hosts can direct guests to the exact entrance of their stay, allowing anyone to share the location of their property hassle-free. The system supports those who wish to explore their entrepreneurial flare by opening up their properties and making use of unusual spaces and plots of land that don’t have their own allocated address such astents, stables, treehouses and barn conversions.
With half of new listings that were both activated and booked in early 2021 receiving their first reservation request within four days, and the average Host pocketing nearly £1,000 last summer, prospective Hosts can now learn more about how much they could potentially earn by sharing their space on Airbnb through the What’s My Place Worth tool.
Chris Sheldrick, Co-founder and CEO at what3words, says, “We already see a huge number of Hosts on Airbnb using what3words for a smooth arrival and check-in process. Guests want to arrive relaxed and on-time, and Hosts want the stay to start like this too. But Covid-19 has brought a new dynamic to this. Having a tool like what3words enables people to address and list any part of their property on Airbnb. It’s amazing to see inspired and entrepreneurial Hosts maximising their properties and turning them into unique accommodation.”
Amanda Cupples, General Manager for Northern Europe at Airbnb, says: “From remote cabins to rural barns, Airbnb provides endless opportunities for adventure across the UK, particularly for those staycationing this summer. Through Airbnb’s collaboration with what3words, Hosts on Airbnb can provide guests with an unforgettable stay, without worrying about navigation. And, with rural travel accounting for almost half of British Airbnb bookings for summer 2021, Brits are more excited than ever to discover these off-the-beaten path destinations.”
“We’re out here in rural Perthshire – and people often arrive after work in the evening when it’s dark and tricky to find. Giving the what3words address means they know exactly where they’re going whether that’s the car parking space, their tent or the next day to find nearby activities,” adds Rosie From Aikenhead House. She continues, “During the first lockdown we saw there was going to be an opportunity for national staycations when restrictions would allow. We decided to put up the bell tent to host extra guests – and it’s been really popular ever since.”
TMW Unlimited and London & Partners deliver recovery marketing campaign to drive consumer spend and footfall across London’s tourism, retail, hospitality and cultural
London & Partners, the business growth and destination agency for London, has launched a new £7m national marketing campaign to boost London’s economy and encourage visitors back into the capital. It is the biggest domestic tourism campaign in London’s history and will reinvigorate central London with a curated programme of seasonal events and cultural activities designed to suit a range of age groups.
With the creative developed by TMW Unlimited, the Let’s Do London campaign encourages people from across the UK to visit the capital for day trips and city breaks as the gradual easing of the lockdown allows the reopening of cultural, hospitality and entertainment venues. TMW Unlimited is the marketing division of Unlimited – a global network comprising of four divisions.
The multimillion-pound campaign will bring together the capital’s world-leading hospitality, culture, nightlife and retail venues to promote all London has to offer and encourage Londoners and UK visitors to rediscover their capital city. The initiative also aims to inspire people to reconnect through shared experiences, whilst showing London – with its unique variety of iconic landmarks, entertainment, restaurants and shops – to be the perfect setting to form those reconnections.
Running across TV, radio, OOH, digital advertising, and social media, the flagship campaign has been designed to deliver an economic boost for retailers, attractions, restaurants, transport providers and the wider tourism ecosystem, to help London’s economy get back on its feet following the impact of Covid-19.
Early results from audience analysis show that those people who recall the Let’s Do London campaign are almost 3 times as likely to have visited London than those who did not see the campaign. Similarly, confidence (+13%) and intent (+17%) to visit London was higher amongst those who had seen the Let’s Do London campaign, compared to those who had not.
Rose Wangen-Jones, Managing Director, Marketing & Destination at London & Partners which runs Visit London commented: “Let’s Do London is the biggest domestic tourism campaign London has ever seen and showcases the wonderful and exciting experiences our capital city has to offer Brits as restrictions continue to lift. It comes at a crucial time for the tourism economy in London and we’re delighted to join forces with the industry to launch this campaign. We look forward to welcoming visitors from all across the UK to explore and rediscover everything they love about our great city.”
Chris Mellish, CEO, TMW Unlimited commented “We’re extremely proud to have developed a campaign centred on such a fundamental understanding of human behaviour: the need for us all to connect through shared experiences. It will give a huge boost to people and businesses all across London and the fact that it can launch despite such a late change in the easing of restrictions is testament to the dedication and foresight of the team.”
At each stage of the planning, creative and production process, considerations were made to ensure that the campaign would be appropriate regardless of whether there were delays to the planned easing of restrictions.
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