Over the next few weeks, MWT will be sharing with members the priorities that we are working on in preparation for the transition 're-opening phase' which we hope - cautiously - will be possible later in the summer season.
Priority No.1: B2B Support & Information
Both Val & Zoe have been at the end of the phone since the start of the Covid-19 crisis and have been heartened to be able to advise and help a number of our members access financial help from the various UK & Welsh Government schemes.
We have shared information as quickly as possible through our MWT enews updates, MWTCymru.co.uk and FB group.
It's so important that our members are really well-informed, and access channels of advice and support as quickly as possible.
Priority No. 2: Lobbying and Liaising with UK, WG & Local Authority officials
MWT maintains a good working relationship with Welsh Government and elected representatives in Wales - vital in times such as these when everyone needs to come together.
As we move to the next phase and lay the foundations for re-opening and recovery, this close working relationship between the business community and the public sector will be more important than ever -
we really do need each other.
Priority No. 3: Business preparations & Sector Guidance Information
Practically, businesses need to put in place new processes prior to re-opening to visitors and we are working with other organisations to get this information and guidance to you as quickly as possible.
Guidance for each of the different tourism sectors is currently in draft form and we hope to be able to share this with you shortly.
Priority No: 4: Working with local communities
Its going to be difficult to re-open - when safe to do so - if our local communities are fearful.
This is something that we will ask local community-led groups to start to plan around and consider what needs to happen in your individual towns and villages to address local concerns.
We know many of our members are very engaged locally and we urge you all to start the conversation locally around re-opening priorities to ensure our communities remain 'safe'.
Priority No 5: Regional Marketing Campaign / Behavioural Analysis
We will shortly be resuming our Mid Wales regional marketing campaign in preparation for when we may be able to reopen.
We anticipate a rise in domestic tourism as many countries will continue to have in place travel restrictions and there is great uncertainty from the domestic market about travelling abroad. - but with this comes its own challenges.
Our visitors, businesses and communities have all experienced something unprecedented in our lifetime and we have seen examples of increasing concern, fear, and sometimes aggression towards visitors who have travelled to the region during lockdown. This sentiment, if it continues may have the potential to harm our tourism economy even after restrictions are lifted and things start to return to normal.
Tourism in Wales is worth £6.3 Billion to the Welsh economy and supports thousands of jobs so it will be vital that we work with our local communities to help reduce some of these fears and provide reassurance at a local level.
We also need to be mindful of the types of visitors we target through external channels (Social Media, Press & PR and
www.visitmidwales.co.uk
) - the tone of messaging we release will be an integra
l
part of our recovery, helping to market to the types of visitors who share our sense of safety, rural understanding and sense of community –
repeat visitors who have a connection with the region will play a key role in this recovery.
With this in mind, MWT are in the process of appointing a behavioural specialist who can help MWT and our social media agency (S3) work though the messaging and sentiment research to provide a 'toolkit' which will be built around the above campaign objectives -
This will be freely available to all businesses (available middle of July ) and we will work with all members who would like to help with this messaging to ensure that their own communications achieves the regional objectives
We are also re-focusing our target audience to include 'In Wales' visitors and will be developing fresh new content and new ‘look and feel’ on VisitMidWales.co.uk.
