Announcing the inaugural ‘Viv Awards’

What are the ‘Viv Awards’

Since this is the last post of 2009, and indeed, of the decade, I wanted to take a look back at what helped make it special for me.

In my work I meet lots of interesting people, representing many different types of organisation involved in tourism, and I felt that I’d like to do my bit to acknowledge some of the fantastic efforts being put into marketing Britain to both domestic and international visitors, and commend good practice and innovation generally, irrespective of location.

Although I’ve only been in existence since August, I’ve already noticed loads of new marketing ideas that I think deserve wider recognition.

So here I present to you the first ever ‘VivAwards’ for innovation and excellence in tourism marketing.

The inaugural ‘Viv Award’ Winners 2009:

Greenway, Devon  -  award for  green tourism

The National Trust now administers Agatha Christie’s former summer home, which enjoys  glorious views over the lower reaches of the river Dart. The award acknowledges the Trust’s efforts to prevent the narrow country lanes that surround Greenway becoming clogged with traffic.

This has been successfully achieved by limiting car parking, which is available by prior reservation only; and actively encouraging visitors to park and arrive by ferry, either from across the river at Dittisham (the route I chose when I visited Greenway this summer) or from Dartmouth. Entrance is by timed ticket, which helps prevent a crush, and the whole experience of visiting the house is greatly enhanced by an absence of roped off areas, which the family stipulated as a condition of allowing public access.  More information about Greenway.

Hampton Court, Middlesex – award for living history interpretation

As already recorded in my 28 October post, I had been previously slightly cynical about the educational value of living history interpretation; but changed my mind as a result of recent experiences. I believe it should no longer  be viewed simply as entertainment, since, when well done, as at Hampton Court, it offers a genuine opportunity to understand more about what it would have been like to live and work in a bygone era. More information about Hampton Court

Quba, Salcombe – award for innovation in retailing

As recorded in my 2nd October post, I was impressed by the attention to detail and branding at casual fashion retailer Quba, where each sales receipt is presented in the form of a passport, which not only thanks you for your custom, but directs you to more information and the possibility of online purchase at the Quba website.

This is an idea with potential for further development, perhaps for building a database, or launching some sort of loyalty scheme for customers reaching cumulative purchase value targets.

Waveney River Centre, Norfolk Broads – award for most original blog

It was during my most recent work in the East of England Tourism region, that I first came across ‘A fish called Eddie‘ . Blogs assist search engine optimisation of websites; but need topicality and an ability to serve up news, as well as offering an interesting or unusual angle on the business or interest that they represent.

Eddie is written from the viewpoint of a pikefish living in the marina at Waveney River Centre, writing entertainingly about about environmental matters. The subject is vitally important in such a fragile ecosystem as the Broads. It’s not something which ordinarily gets much attention, and deserves more, so it’s worth watching. More information about Waveney River Centre

Thermae Bath Spa – award for contribution to well being

I visited the state of the art spa complex which uses the water from Britain’s only natural hot thermal springs during my summer staycation. I wrote about my experiences in my post dated 20 September. It’s well worth making a special trip to Bath to enjoy such a world class experience. More information about Thermae Bath Spa.

Shakespeare House, Grendon Underwood – award for hospitality

I travel all over the country in the course of my work, so I really apppreciate somewhere where I instantly feel welcome and at home. In fact I enjoyed my first stay so much (see my post dated 4 September) that I returned on another occasion with my family! If you’re looking for a boutique bed and breakfast conveniently located as a base for visits to Oxford, Stratford Upon Avon or the Bicester Village factory outlet centre, this makes a great choice. It has a 5 star rating and a Gold Award service accolade. More information about Shakespeare House.

Liverpool – destination award

I’d only been to Liverpool once before,  over two decades ago, and that wasn’t a particularly memorable occasion; but my, how I noticed the changes when I visted this autumn! Its impressive new waterfront developments include Albert Dock and Tate Liverpool gallery, the Echo Arena and a new Museum that will open in 2011; added to the heritage of it’s glory year as European Capital of Culture in 2008.

I’ve seen for myself how the the city has become a world class tourist destination that’s starting to bear comparison with the best of them on the international circuit. It’s particular USPs are its maritime and musical heritage, including it’s role as birthplace of The Beatles. The Cavern Club is not to be missed, and already there are amphibious tours of the waterfront by ‘The Yellow Duckmarine‘. I plan to return. More information about Liverpool.

Chelsea Tower, Dubai – award for best marketing slogan

Although my awards are generally UK focused, for the obvious reason that I’m UK based most of the time,  I’m always on the lookout for great examples of innovation in tourism marketing from organisations and destinations anywhere in the world.

l found the best example of a marketing slogan this year, from a hotel in Dubai, in the somewhat unlikely surroundings of a staircase display about it at the Quality Hotel Heathrow.  It was featured on one of those self supporting promotional stands of the type seen frequently at travel trade exhibitions, promoting the Chelsea Tower Dubai. The award goes to them for their slogan ‘Come as a guest, leave as family’. I like the sentiment.

Each of the award winners will receive a certificate of recognition in due course.

Until next year!

In pursuit of hedonism

The Romans would have appreciated Chelsea Physic Garden, which I visited for the first time this week. I whiled away a glorious late summer afternoon in this fragrant four acre oasis, hidden away from bustling London streets. At the end of a fascinating guided tour my companions and I sipped tea in the dappled shade of the restaurant terrace, splitting lavender scones and spreading them with clotted cream and golden mirabelle conserve. It was a veritable feast for the senses.

A Roman favourite

The Romans were great fans of hedonistic pursuits as an antidote to the stresses of urban life. I’m certain they were particularly delighted when they discovered a place in Britain, one of the chillier outposts of their empire, that had natural hot springs, heated to almost 45 degrees Centigrade/113 Fahrenheit,  similar to those found back where they came from in Italy.

The Romans took over and expanded a local settlement which had already grown up around the springs, naming it Aquae Sulis after the Celtic water goddess Sul, for whom they cunningly claimed an honorary association with Minerva, their goddess of wisdom and healing. They were the first in a long line of people to exploit the springs commercially, when they built public baths on the site, which was presided over by an impressive bronze staue of Minerva, unearthed by excavations in 1727.

Today we simply call the city  Bath. The entire city was declared a World Heritage site in 1987. Of course people still visit the Roman Baths; but they are not allowed to bathe, although you can drink the hot thermal water from a fountain in the Pump Room. It contains 43 minerals and has a rather unusual taste.

To enjoy an authentic Roman spa and bathing experience in Bath today, you simply must visit the city’s Thermae Bath Spa. It’s unique in Britain, being the country’s  only natural thermal water spa. Although the city’s larger hotels  offer spa facilities, they cannot replicate the thermal mineral water experience on offer at Thermae.

The Thermae experience

Spa sessions in the New Royal Bath at Thermae can’t be pre-booked unless you come in a group of 8 or more. Prices start at £22 for a two hour session, which we found perfectly adequate. The cost of a towel, robe and slippers are not included in the price, so you can save money by bringing your own; but you definitely can’t manage without – you wouldn’t want to miss the rooftop pool which enjoys a fabulous panorama of the city! If you want to enjoy any treatments in addition to bathing,  you must pre-book them, at additional cost. The time taken up by treatments is added on to your spa session.

When you arrive at Thermae you’re given a wrist band which records your entry time. There are clocks that enable you to keep an eye on the time, but beware if you overstay, you’ll be charged extra when you exit. All the pools are 1.35 metres deep and children under 16 are not permitted.

Over 1 million litres of mineral rich water flow from the Hetling and Cross thermal springs that feed the Thermae complex each day. The pleasantly warm water, heated naturally at a depth of around 2km below the city, is pumped around the modern multistorey spa building in the centre of town, and is served up under varying degrees of pressure and aeration. The water from the springs is believed to have originally fallen as rain 10,000 years ago, which gradually percolated down to be heated by the hot rocks deep below, which forced it back to the surface!

I recommend starting with a soak in Thermae’s panoramic rooftop  pool, which has fountains and underwater jets. One floor down is a suite of 3 steam rooms (where you can steam relax amid scents of either lavender, frankinsense or  euclyptus/mint respectively), a huge central shower  pre programmed with varying pressure phases, and a set of foot spas into which you dangle your feet from a marble relaxation area.

There’s a restaurant floor (which gets busy at lunchtime), but if you patronise it, you get an extra 45 minutes loaded onto on your wristband. Finally there’s a large indoor  pool with a maelstrom style whirlpool to one side, and some poolside fountains that offer a great shoulder massage if you get your timing right.

My conclusion? Even if you don’t book any extra treatments it’s a world class relaxation experience that shouldn’t be missed. I noticed that my skin felt really soft for a couple of days afterwards. For more information visit the website

Staying, shopping and dining in Bath

It was a good choice for us to stay at the McDonald Bath Spa Hotel. We were able to park our car there free of charge, and we found it a pleasant 10 minute walk into the city across Pulteney Bridge. We booked half board and dined nightly in the hotel’s elegant Vellore restaurant, so didn’t try anywhere else; although I heard that Hugh Fearnley Whittingstall has recently opened up in the city. If you want to push the boat out even more try the Relais and Chateaux Royal Crescent Hotel. For self catering accommodation, an increasingly popular option in cities, especially for families, try Saco Bath apartments or Fountain House .

There’s a shop at both Thermae Bath Spa and the Roman Baths; but for more hedonistic retail therapy dont miss Culpeper, a Bath based herbalist which sells their own brand of essential oils, potions and fragrances. You’ll find them at 28 Milsom Street.

You’ll probably be interested to learn that there’s a free daily walking tour of Bath available for visitors.  Jane Austen fans might enjoy the tour by a costumed guide that operates at weekends and bank holidays. Alternatively   you might like to go on a treasure hunt in Bath: in which all the clues can be solved by observation.  More information about Bath

Further background reading

Much of Jane Austen’s novel ‘Northanger Abbey’ is set in Bath; and it’s a location visited by Mr Pickwick in Charles Dickens’s novel ‘The Pick wick Papers’. Read ‘The Apothecaries Garden’ by Sue Minter for more information about the history of The Chelsea Physic Garden, or visit their website

Until next time…