Witney News - High status award for Visitor Information Centres

High status award for Visitor Information Centres

West Oxfordshire’s Visitor Information Centres (VICs) have been awarded special status which recognises them as being among the very best in England.

The VICs in Burford, Witney and Woodstock are 3 of only 36 Tourist Information Centres in the South East to have received Enjoy England status.

The award has been given by Visit Britain and is part of a scheme developed by the Tourist Authority to create a nationwide partnership aimed at promoting excellence and world-class service.
Only select VICs and Tourist Information Centres are granted the status. To qualify, they must meet a series of requirements, such as promoting tourism to world-class standards, operating bookings for assessed accommodation, and providing excellent customer care.

West Oxfordshire’s VICs are run by the District Council and tourism is promoted by the Council under the brand of Oxfordshire Cotswolds.

Cllr Hilary Biles, Cabinet Member for Health, Leisure and Tourism, said: “Being part of Enjoy England is a very special status and so we are delighted that all three of our visitor information centres have been selected – it is a fantastic achievement.”

Each year, the VICs welcome more than 100,000 visitors through the door and deal with over 50,000 additional enquiries by phone, email and fax. An information kiosk where visitors can book accommodation is also available in Chipping Norton.

Enjoy England status gives VIC staff access to national and international marketing, a training programme to extend their skills, and business support toolkits. Each of the centres will also display the Enjoy England quality marque.
For more information about tourism in West Oxfordshire, visit www.oxfordshirecotswolds.org

Stephanie Foster, who works for Nexus Community, which runs leisure facilities in West Oxfordshire on behalf of the Council, said: “The challenge was very draining both physically and mentally, however everybody thoroughly enjoyed it. Trevor’s team finished 4th from 49 (in 6hrs) and our team completed it in 8hrs. We have been overwhelmed with the amount of support we have received, particularly from Laughing stock in Witney, Smirfit Kappa, ABL Blinds and the pupils at Gateway Primary in Carterton who
put a huge amount of effort in raising money for REGAIN.”