BUSINESS NEWS
BATH AWARDED FUNDING FOR TOURISM RECOVERY
The national tourism agency , VisitEngland , has selected Visit Bath and Visit Bristol to receive funding to help promote both cities as they reopen to visitors this summer .
SouthGate Bath ’ s colourful walkway of rainbow bunting welcoming visitors this summer
The successful joint bid application for VisitEngland ’ s ‘ Escape the Everyday ’: Destination Management Organisations ’ Recovery Marketing Fund will enable campaigns to run across the Visit Bath and Visit Bristol digital channels .
The funds are being used to help the local tourism industry recover from the shattering effects of the pandemic by targeting domestic tourists and encouraging them to explore , discover and treat themselves on a UK short break to Bath and Bristol .
Digital Visitor , the UK ’ s leading strategic digital marketing agency for travel , tourism and hospitality , has been commissioned to deliver a dynamic campaign which will drive potential visitors to new landing pages on the Visit Bath and Visit Bristol websites , with bookable experiences available direct from the landing pages .
The ‘ Escape the Everyday ’ content , with videos and images sourced from local photographers , will be promoted primarily through social media until the end of July 2021 and is directed at domestic tourists , as some restrictions on international travel remain in place for the upcoming summer season .
With the West of England visitor economy valued at £ 2.33 billion , supporting 45,500 jobs , the recovery of the local tourism industry is of high interest to many business leaders , hospitality owners and employees in the region .
To date , there are over 300 businesses in Bath and Bristol holding the ‘ We ’ re Good to Go ’ industry standard and consumer mark , which was introduced last year by VisitEngland to reassure visitors that businesses are adhering to Government and public health guidance .
VisitEngland Director Andrew Stokes said , “ Millions of jobs and local economies depend on tourism right across the country and the industry needs all of us to make sure it gets back on its feet . It is great to see the activity that Visit Bath and Visit Bristol will be delivering locally , with support from VisitEngland funding , and aligning with our national ‘ Escape the Everyday ’ campaign , to encourage more people to get out and discover the outstanding destinations and quality attractions here on our doorstep and to drive bookings .”
“ It will also support local businesses who have been working so hard to welcome visitors back safely , adapting and innovating to meet new ways of working and still providing a great visitor experience .”
Director of Tourism for the region ’ s Destination Management Organisation , Kathryn Davis , added , “ We put an enormous amount of work into our bid application and so are delighted that our campaign for Visit Bristol and Visit Bath was awarded funding from the ‘ Escape the Everyday ’ campaign . This will support the visitor economy in the west of England as we begin to recover from the most difficult and destructive environment for our business community . We have been working with our local industry to bring them into the campaign strands , and look forward to delivering the activity with local company , Digital Visitor , who are experts in campaign delivery for destinations and visitor experience in the digital environment .”
High hopes for a frightfully good summer
Bath ' s world-first attraction dedicated to author Mary Shelley and her infamous creation , Frankenstein is getting set to open its doors for the first time .
Mary Shelley ' s House of Frankenstein will open to the public on Wednesday 30th June , a monumental 205 years since Mary Shelley put pen to paper to write Frankenstein in Bath , during June 1816 .
Visitors to Mary Shelley ’ s House of Frankenstein can uncover the true story behind the iconic monster and immerse themselves in the complex and often tragic past of its author , in the city where she wrote the famous book .
In a world-first , horror fans , literary enthusiasts , and families with older children can come face-to-face with the monster Mary imagined , as the attraction ’ s centerpiece will feature an 8ft monster recreated from the text of what is referred to as the first ever science-fiction novel .
The attraction provides an immersive experience and visitors can venture down into the dank foreboding basement , in a dark and disorientating walkthrough revealing the unhallowed practices of a deranged scientist .
Mary Shelley ’ s House of Frankenstein hopes to be a major draw for visitors to the city on their UK staycations and summer holidays this year , and will help support the city ’ s recovery after the coronavirus pandemic .
Kathryn Davis , Director of Tourism at Visit West said , “ Many know our city is steeped in history , but one of Bath ’ s best kept secrets is that most of Frankenstein was written in Bath . We can ’ t wait to welcome Mary Shelley ’ s House of
Frankenstein as another fantastic reason to enthral visitors with the city ’ s rich cultural offering .”
Chris Harris , Co-Founder of the attraction , added , “ Mary Shelley ’ s House of Frankenstein aims to deliver a unique and entertaining experience . Mary Shelley ’ s unconventional life was complex and chaotic , and every bit as grisly as her extraordinary novel . If you think you know Mary or her monster , think again ! Our attraction offers an unnerving insight into this extraordinary and gifted young woman and reveals , for the very first time , the 8ft monster exactly as she imagined .”
Extending over four atmospheric floors bursting with unusual artefacts and vintage items , interactive multisensory environments , and assorted body parts , Mary Shelley ’ s House of Frankenstein is one attraction that visitors will not want to miss this summer . The attraction will contain ominous audio and visual effects , darkened environments , and some scenes of a disturbing nature .
Mary Shelley ’ s House of Frankenstein can be found at 37 Gay Street , Bath . Franken-fans can book their tickets now to visit from 30th June .
Visit www . houseoffrankenstein . com
6 www . tbebathandsomerset . co . uk