New TV advert part of £250k marketing campaign for Torbay

New TV advert part of £250k marketing campaign for Torbay

Mayor Gordon Oliver has announced plans to plough an extra £250,000 into tourism marketing, inward investment and attracting and supporting maritime events in Torbay.

At the Mayor's request Torbay Development Agency, working in partnership with the English Riviera Tourism Company (ERTC), has produced a report that will go to full council on September 29 and, if the money is approved, plans will be drawn up across the three areas to further support existing strategies.

In terms of tourism marketing support, this is likely to mean a national TV campaign in New Year.  This will support and be aligned to the existing tourism marketing strategy for the 2012 season, and will air in the identified key target TV regions for the Bay.

As a precursor to the marketing support for 2012, a new 30 second TV advertisement with a postcard theme will be running from Monday, September 12 to Sunday, October 9 on Sky News Channel 501 to encourage late breaks to the English Riviera.

The advertisement has been designed for longevity and will be used to support tourism marketing during the 2012 season. Calls to action will direct the viewer back to the official English Rivera website.  This includes a QR code that goes direct to the ERTC site and the tourism video, which highlights the events and attractions the Bay has to offer. The ERTC is providing support to ensure that dedicated staff will respond to on and off line enquiries generated by the advertisement.

Mayor Gordon Oliver said: "I have pledged to support tourism in the Bay and given the importance of this sector, and the current economic climate, it is more important than ever that the English Riviera attracts new customers and secures a long -term sustainable future.

"Our plans around inward investment, maritime events and tourism marketing, focus on developing opportunities that will attract year round investment to the Bay and positively impact on the economy through increased employment, footfall and visitor spend."

Carolyn Custerson, Chief Executive Officer of the English Riviera Tourism Company welcomed the additional funding saying: " We have big, ambitious plans for the 2012 season and, of course, a year that will see Britain celebrate both the Olympics and the Queen's Diamond Jubilee.

"The additional funding is very welcome and will allow us to build on our existing marketing plans and continue with the successful delivery of the Turning the Tide for Tourism Strategy, with the boost of a national television campaign, to bring the Bay to a much larger audience of potential customers."

To view the new TV advertisement on the homepage of the ERTC website click here.