collabor8 merthyr tydfil tourism sector diagnostic review findings
Post on 03-Jan-2016
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COLLABOR8MTCBC had no real ‘in-depth’ knowledge of the ‘Hospitality Sector’ in the area.
No mechanism in place to monitor and evaluate progress within individual businesses and the sector as a whole – Benchmarking exercise.
Opportunity to asses the need of all relevant businesses in Merthyr Tydfil.
Email Address
All of the businesses questioned had an email address, however, some are not
used on a regular basis.
Website
78% of the businesses have an established website to enhance their
marketability and accessibility.
Grading
72% of the enterprises interviewed were graded with the majority utilising the
services of Visit Wales.
Of all the graded accommodation providers within Merthyr Tydfil the
average grade was 2.9 Stars.
Online Booking System
71% of businesses have an online booking system incorporated within
their websites.
Map
72% of the businesses interviewed had some form of a map (digital or paper).
Of all the enterprises that have a website 93% have a digital map on their
website.
Customer Internet Access
Just 50% of all the businesses in Merthyr ensure that customers have access to
the Internet / email.
Within the 50% of these enterprises 78% provide WiFi access to customers.
Usage Evaluation System
In Merthyr Tydfil 69% of businesses have some sort of system that records
usage.
Record Visitor Origins / Email Addresses
53% of Hospitality Sector Businesses in Merthyr Tydfil record where their
visitors come from whether in electrical or paper format.
Only 33% of businesses keep some kind of record of visitor email addresses.
Perception of the Merthyr Tydfil Tourist Information Centre
65% of all the businesses utilise the services of the TIC – with the remaining 35% of
businesses either currently not graded or just choosing not to use it.
When asked to give a personal rating of the TIC (1 being bad – 5 being superb) the average
rating was 1.5
Staff / Extending of Workforce / Utilising Job Match
The average amount of staff employed by the tourism businesses within Merthyr Tydfil is 16 people – with the
highest business employment being 60 and lowest being 1.
Considering that 60% of these businesses are looking to extend their current workforce in the near future (most of whom will do if they expand via grant funding and
seasonally).
Out of all the enterprises questioned 53% would be willing to consider JobMatch when needed.
Reason For Visit
Out of all the business involved in this questionnaire it was determined that 48% of people staying at
tourism accommodation in Merthyr Tydfil were there for leisure with the other 52% there for business
purposes.
If we just consider the graded accommodation then the percentage visiting for leisure increases to 53%
(a 5% increase).
Grants
60% of businesses stated that they would be interested in obtaining some kind of grant
assistance (LIF, RDP etc).
With regards to the businesses rationale about what they wish to spend the money on examples include: new roof, websites, access points, extension of business,
re-development of premises etc.
Training
Substantially, 93% of Hospitality Sector Businesses wish to undertake certain
elements of training to complement their current work and increase productivity.
Most prominent requests were Web Development, IT, Marketing & Advertising,
First Aid and Food Hygiene.
Eco Accreditation
Of all the businesses questioned only 6% had some kind of eco accredited status with a further 6% that would possibly
consider it.
New Technology
We have an opportunity within COLLABOR8 to share and exploit ‘New Technology’ and expertise (including
new media).
Utilise the Mobile Technology Laboratory which will visit Merthyr during the
Project. (The Fab Lab)
COLLABOR8
NEXT STEPS - “2010 AND BEYOND”
•Business Development Plan over 1-3-5 year period lead to ‘individual sustained business’ growth.
•WAG keen to work with the findings of COLLABOR8 to aligned ‘National Programmes’ – FS4B (Sectorial Account Managers).
•Example… Business accessing the WAG’s Single / Local Investment Plans.
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