Winchester Tourism forges further international bonds
Following a visit from the Japanese Tourism board last year, Winchester Tourist Information Centre has this week welcomed a Senior Tourism Development Official from Sweden as part of an information exchange programme.
As part of an EU funded project, tourism officers from Sweden have visited key destinations in England to gain an insight into how tourism services are delivered across the country. Sofie Ullstrom, a Destination Development Officer from Gävle in Sweden has spent two weeks in Hampshire learning about tourism infrastructure in England.
Sofie spent two days with Winchester Tourist Information Centre (TIC) and will also be visiting Hampshire County Council’s tourism service, Tourism South East, the regional tourist board, New Forest Tourism and Basingstoke Borough Council. Sofie says of her visit,
Winchester Tourist Information Centre has a very professional and friendly team, by talking to them I have picked up some new ideas that I will take back to my hometown. Despite similarities in our tourism functions there are strategic initiatives underway in Winchester which I feel we can learn from in the Gävle municipality.”
Sarah Harfield, TIC Team Leader said,
The Visit Winchester service has received an increasing amount of attention nationally and internationally, and this latest approach reflects the award-winning status of the TIC. We were delighted to be able to share knowledge and experience of the industry with a European peer. it was a pleasure working with Sofie and discussing the operations of TIC’s in both England and Sweden.”
In recent months the service has been approached by the Japanese Tourism Board, St Albans City and District Council and the Royal Borough of Kingston-upon-Thames to share best practice. The recent establishment of a Destination management Partnership for Winchester and the Heart of Hampshire ahs also been cited as significant in terms of the Customer Service Excellence ‘Compliance Plus’ accreditation that Winchester City Council has recently been awarded.
Winchester Tourist Information Centre is open Monday to Saturday 10am to 5pm. Or call 01962 840 500, email tourism@winchester.gov.uk or see www.visitwinchester.co.uk