NCTA launches new interactive one-stop shop for tourism trade

The National Coastal Tourism Academy has launched a ground-breaking, new interactive Resource Hub on its website providing Bournemouth tourism businesses with a slew of new products to help them boost business.

Packed with case studies, toolkits, examples of best practice and courses, it provides an easy-to-use online resource that will evolve into a unique, one-stop shop for coastal tourism enterprises, with links to relevant national resources, products and research.

“For the first time, Bournemouth tourism businesses have a dedicated online resource specifically for them,” says NCTA director Samantha Richardson.

“But uniquely, this is not simply a business support tool, it features a wealth of practical case studies, toolkits and bespoke research conducted locally to give Bournemouth’s tourism industry new insight into the local market.

“By discovering what visitors want, which markets are growing and how coastal tourism is changing, Bournemouth businesses are in an extremely strong position to make robust business decisions for the future. We hope this will become an increasingly valuable resource as we add to its content to make it the first port of call for coastal tourism businesses.”

All Bournemouth tourism businesses have free access to every feature, simply by logging on, they can download articles from four different categories – Best Practice, Market Intelligence, Toolkits and Courses.

The Resource Hub will evolve continually; in-depth academic research will be summarised into bite-size chunks tailored for busy tourism staff. New findings from national bodies will be featured and there’ll be blogs and features on all the latest news affecting coastal resorts.

Within the Best Practice section, the free online Bournemouth Ambassador course not only provides solid information on the resort and surrounding area, but also modules on wet weather attractions, facilities for visitors with disability, what’s on offer for families and more. And there’s now a new Poole Ambassador course to ensure staff understand what’s right on their doorstep.

The Welcome to Bournemouth staff handbook gives an at-a-glance overview of the town, perfect for busy receptionists, while the Attractions Passport provides cut-price or free entry to the town’s attractions.

How well does the tourism industry know its visitors? Each visitor profile sums up exactly what visitors expect, whether they’re retirees, pre-family young people, empty-nesters, families or business travellers, and explains how these visitors could be attracted.

There’s also new research into different sectors - the lucrative health and wellness market, business travellers – and how to tap into them.

An interactive toolkit, a Destination Check up wheel, offers a step-by-step audit for coastal resorts, each segment scrutinises a different aspect, from branding and target markets to a review of the local industry and its future aspirations.

Tourism businesses are offered a Business Development Model, a jargon-free, seven point plan to get their business to where they want it to be and how to make it happen.

Visit coastaltourismacademy.co.uk/resource-hub

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For more information, please contact Sheron Crossman, NCTA Marketing and Communications Manager, tel: 01202 962565, Sheron.crossman@coastaltourismacademy.co.uk