MWT Cymru Newsletter
Hello everyone, we're hope you're keeping well. Below is a round-up of some news and information from the last month to help keep you up-to-date. As always, if you need any additional help or support please pick up the phone and call us on 01654 702653.
Web Referrals Up 23% Page Views up 57%
July 2020 figures are up over 57% on our visitor website hits and direct referrals to our member businesses are up over 23%.

July 2019 our businesses received over 12,000+ referrals directly to their websites, telephone numbers, social media accounts/ emails.

July 2020 our members have received over 15,000+ referrals in one month. This is up over 23% on the previous year 👍

Although we've all had a dreadful few months, this increase in traffic and interest in our region is really encouraging for our shoulder months and we are having a strong end to the season - Please make sure all your information/images are up to date and contact MWT team if you need assistance..

Accommodation businesses should also check that your availability is up to date as this helps visitors find your business on our website. We also have commission free bookability on our websites so every little helps!

If you are using a channel manager other than Guestlink (GL), you maybe able to link your own booking channel directly to GL saving lots of time and effort. You will need GL + Connect service which costs just £30+ VAT annually. This is a great option which saves you time and maximises your opportunity for online referrals. If you want to how this works, this please call Val or Zoe on 01654 702653 for impartial advice.

Non Accommodation - Make sure you check your images/text/opening hours. If you have introduced online ticketings as pre booking is now essential add your links to Guestlink directly to your ticketing page - These links are also found on visitwales.com
#RealMidWales & Enjoy Summer Safely Campaign Funding
MWT is pleased to announce that not only have we been able to restart our #RealMidWales Marketing campaign (Supported by Visit Wales & Welsh Government)

We have also been successful in bidding into a £6M 'Enjoy Summer Safely' campaign fund which is managed by UK government. This fund is available to destinations across the UK and MWT has been successful in bidding for £150k to be spent on outdoor and digital marketing / advertising over the next couple of weeks.

The aim of the UK-wide campaign is not just around attracting tourism, but is a wider economic campaign where we hope to help boost local spend to help all businesses get back on their feet.

This is great news for the Mid Wales region and will help to boost our #RealMidWales messaging and raise awareness of our fantastic destination!

We are working on new promotional content and changes to VisitMidWales.co.uk to make the most of this opportunity and also asking all our accommodation members to make sure your GL availability & pricing is up to date and accurate.
AMP 360 Virtual Tours
New member offer - www.amp360.co.uk

AMP 360, based in Aberystwyth, is offering MWT Members a 30% discount to create unique 360 Virtual Tours to showcase your business.

This new offer is in addition to the 20% discount for aerial drone video/photography they already provide for MWT Cymru members - thank you Charles!

AMP 360 use a specialist 3D camera to map internal/ external spaces and then these images are stitched together to create a 360 immersive experience.

Each scan is different dependent on the size, and cost of production starts from as little as £150. If you contact AMP 360 directly, please advise them you are a MWT member.

If you would like to discuss options for 360 Virtual Tours please complete the AMP 360 enquiry form below and the team will get in touch with you directly.
ACAS - Free Courses
Acas are running a number of free online digital courses throughout September and October.

Courses include:

  • How to manage homeworkers
  • Changing terms and conditions of employment
  • Redundancy - getting it right
  • Transition from lockdown
  • Managing employee mental health
  • Back to work - managing employee attendance
  • and many more

To see a full list and to sign up for these free courses please click the link below
Pocket Guide to the Cambrian Mountains
A new Pocket Guide to the Cambrian Mountains has been published. You can download a PDF of the guide or share the link with your guests/visitors to help them plan their days out in the area.
Channel 4 : Four in a Bed
Channel 4s popular Four in a Bed are casting for their next series. Researchers from Studio Lambert are seeking varieties of accommodation from the more traditional B&Bs to castles and manor houses, to quirky glamping sites.

"We're looking for enthusiastic owners/managers/staff members to represent their establishment and embrace a bit of friendly competition. We have had brilliant feedback from the participants of our most recent series. Establishments have received more bookings equating to an extra £20,000+ in income."

If anyone is interested you can apply at https://www.studiolambert.com/take-part-four-in-a-bed.html
Coronavirus Info
Job Retention Scheme & Self Employment Income Support Scheme
Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme - An online calculator is available to help you determine how much to pay furloughed employees, how much to claim for employer NICs and pension schemes and how much to request back for claim periods ending on or before 31 October 2020.
Self Employment Income Support Scheme - A webinar about claiming a second grant through the Self-Employment income support scheme is now available.
View the latest Visit Wales Industry Newsletter
This latest Visit Wales e-news is packed full with the following content -

  • Keeping records of staff, customers, and visitors: test, trace, protect
  • Extensions to Seasonal Occupancy of Caravan Sites – A Planning Guide for site owners and operators
  • Essential travel restriction on public transport to be lifted
  • SEISS second stage now open
  • Future planning for Coronavirus in Wales
  • COVID-19 UK Tourism Consumer Tracker Survey
  • Great Britain Tourism Survey and Great Britain Day Visit Survey: 2019 Annual reports
  • Create an Accessibility Guide
  • Refill Cymru
  • HMRC – protect yourself from scams 
  • 5,000 businesses in Wales are now “Good to Go”
  • Welsh Ministers unveil multi-million pound support package for local authorities;
  • UK Transition – EU funding new guidance
  • The Welsh Government Coastal Communities Fund.
News from our members
MWT CYMRU FACEBOOK GROUP

If you haven't already, please make sure you join us on our MWT Cymru Facebook Members Group. There has been a lot of activity recently with members sharing information. This is the fastest way to receive updates as they happen.
Visit website: www.mwtcymru.co.uk