VisitEngland launch bid to ‘revolutionise’ visitor information

VisitEngland has launched a new service in an effort to revolutionise visitor information via Twitter. 

Realtimetravelguide.co.uk is an online hub allowing users to tailor their breaks using real-time tweets from England’s tourism experts – reflecting the trend by travellers to find real-time information online.

Teaming up with tourist information centres (TICs) and local destination organisations from across the country, VisitEngland hopes the new service will revolutionise how local tourism organisations and businesses share information with consumers via Twitter.

It is hoped that the service will bring together a ‘hive’ of real-time information for people researching things to do on holiday, planning a weekend, day trip or making plans whilst already on their break.

A quick search on the hub reveals a map of England pinpointing local Twitter handles providing real-time information. Users can search the site by destination or by interest to find relevant local information and news about restaurants, activities, events and promotions.

James Berresford, VisitEngland’s chief executive said: “This is an exciting and pioneering project and a tourist board first. We know consumers are increasingly using social media to find information and although a lot of information is already out there, this new site draws it all together to benefit everyone – providing destinations with a way to engage consumers online; support for SMEs who can share information on their product and services; and ultimately provide visitors with real-time information.”

Berresford added that this is “just the beginning” and that VisitEngland’s ambition is for the service to become the “go-to hub” for visitor information.

The service currently has 34 town and 68 destinations on board, however VisitEngland said that it hopes to grow the service to cover the entire country.