Industry Update: 24 March

Digital campaigns update

As we plan our route to recovery, we have noticed a huge upsurge in internet searches since the announcement of the roadmap for holidays and mini breaks. To capture this increased interest, we will be running two small campaigns that will be out of the door by the end of the month. These campaigns will be utilising media spend from paused campaigns last year and funds from projects that are ending this financial year, including the Discover England Fund.

The first campaign is a burst of digital and social activity across the UK, which went live on Friday 19 March for 2-4 weeks. The Summer In the City campaign is focused on providing inspiration for future travel to Greater Manchester, highlighting summer events and activities, ensuring that the region remains front and centre in the minds of potential domestic travellers as they start to plan their summer city breaks.

The second digital campaign will go live on 29 March when we move to the next step of the UK Government roadmap. This is will be the first push this year for our successful Find Your Space campaign and will be delivered in partnership with the Manchester Evening News, offering suggestions and recommendations to help Greater Manchester residents safely find space in their local areas.

 

Government launches DMO review

The Department for Digital Culture, Media and Sport has launched a review of Destination Management Organisations (DMOs). It is important that Marketing Manchester, as Greater Manchester’s DMO has a strong voice at a national level, and we will be inputting into the consultation, which will look at the future structure and funding of DMOs and how they can play a greater role in driving the national conversation on the visitor economy and help to deliver UK’s global and levelling-up ambitions.

Further information about the review and consultation process can be found here.

 

Resources: European tourism to Greater Manchester after EU exit

International visitors spent over £850 million in Greater Manchester in 2019, and 6 in 10 of those international visits came from within the EU. The announcement of a trade deal between the EU and UK is therefore a welcome boost for tourism.

Last week we hosted a wide-ranging discussion of issues as well as opportunities following the UK’s exit from the EU and the implications for Greater Manchester’s visitor economy. Mike Blackburn, Chair of Greater Manchester’s International Marketing Advisory Board and GMLEP board member chaired a panel of speakers including: Nick Brooks-Sykes, Director of Tourism at Marketing Manchester; Mark Essex, Director of Skills at KPMG; Tom Jenkins, CEO of the European Travel Operators Association; and Holger Lenz, Manager for Central Europe at VisitBritain. To watch the webinar, please click here.

We have created a useful fact sheet which outlines the main changes for visitors to the UK when international travel restarts. It sets out ten knowledge key areas that businesses should familiarise themselves with if they deal with EU visitors. To access the fact sheet, please click here.

Finally, businesses that have specific questions about changes to the way they do business with the EU can get in touch with us for advice by emailing eu-support@marketingmanchester.com.

 

Survey: Time Out Index 2021

Each year Time Out releases an index of the world’s best cities by asking city dwellers to complete a survey about where they live, work, and socialise. In the 2019 index Manchester ranked 15th globally, which was a fantastic achievement, and this year we’re encouraging as many people to fill out the survey to get Greater Manchester’s towns and cities polling higher.

The survey takes 5-10 minutes to complete via a short fun quiz that calculates how much survey participants love their city. Please take moment to complete the survey as well as sharing with colleagues and staff via newsletters, internal updates, and social media.

Success in these rankings can be incredibly valuable for the on-going promotion of Greater Manchester, creating great press and PR opportunities and a fun talking point with clients and customers based both within and outside of Greater Manchester.

To complete the survey, please click here. To view 2019’s full index list, please click here.

 

Hospitality and outdoor venues new Covid requirements

In line with the Government’s roadmap out of lockdown, outdoor venues can re-open from 12 April. Hospitality and outdoor venues will now be required to take contact details, asking the public to check in to venues upon arrival. Businesses can create check-in posters for the NHS Test & Trace app from the government website, which will play an important part in reducing the transmission of Covid-19.

 

Manchester Misses You and Find Your Space campaign

We are currently continuing our ‘Manchester Misses You’ campaign across our digital platforms, offering partner venues and attractions the opportunity to share their digital-only events and inspire with vibrant virtual content about Greater Manchester.

Next week we will also relaunch our Find Your Space campaign in line with the UK Government’s changes that come into effect on Monday 29 March; however, at that point the campaign will mostly focus on ideas and inspiration for outdoor recreation or exercise.

If you have a suitable contribution for the Manchester Misses You campaign or details of safe outdoors activities that meet the UK Government’s roadmap criteria for the Find You Space campaign later this month, please send them to stuart.aiken@marketingmanchester.com.

We would also like to keep track of opening dates on a dedicated page on visitmanchester.com so please email Ryan.Maley@marketingmanchester.com with details about when your business or organisation is due to reopen for visitors.

 

GM LEP announces board refresh

The Greater Manchester Local Enterprise Partnership (GM LEP) is set to appoint five new board members as the city-region looks to create a fairer and greener economy beyond the pandemic. Joining the board are: Vimla Appadoo, Co-Founder and Director of Culture Design, Honey Badger; Dr Marilyn Comrie OBE, Director of The Blair Project; Steve Connor, CEO of Creative Concern; Justin Kelly, Director, Siemens UK; and Miles Rothbury, Head of Asset Finance at HSBC UK. Find out more about the new appointments here.

 

Partner and sector news

Each week we provide a list of suggested links, reading and actions that our partners may find useful across the various sectors we promote.

 

Tourism and Hospitality Business Support Hub

Throughout the Covid-19 crisis the Tourism and Hospitality Support Hub has been available to ensure that tourism and hospitality businesses are given the most up to date information including reopening standards and guidance.  In addition, our colleagues in the Business Growth Hub have launched a new suite of support services specifically aimed at tourism and hospitality businesses who need practical advice at this current time. Anyone who needs specific and detailed support should contact: supporthub@marketingmanchester.com.

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