Visit Scotland / Visit England et al.
There are 4 regional agencies in the Visit Britain Group. Like the AA they grade businesses using a simple star rating. They are the official Tourist Board for each country. Again use their logo and any rating you have been given on your website and literature.
In the past the as representatives of the national Tourist Board the 4 Visit Britain sites were seen essential component in your company’s marketing strategy. However many smaller businesses are no longer members or have never signed up; cost and having your own website being cited as the main reasons for not signing up.
- Visit Scotland
- Visit England – there is also a special website for London (see below)
- Visit Wales
- Visit London
- Discover Northern Ireland Outside the Visit Britain group is Discover Northern Ireland – Although not part of Visit Britain they do the same job and use the same ratings as the other national agencies and so is listed here.
There is a also a BREAKFAST AWARD offered by the above agencies for those businesses who excel at the quality of Breakfast.
Second tier Assessment and Green / Eco Tourism
These are useful accreditations that verify specific markets or your “green” credentials. In the UK the most common are the WELCOME stickers which costs money to join.
SCOTLAND and therefore VISIT SCOTLAND the official tourist authority … is better set up than most with around 14 different AWARD categories. These are based on the provision of facilities and services are given/awarded by Visit Scotland in recognition of the special efforts made by operators to provide for visitors.
The specialised awards have been developed in consultation with a lead training body in the field they represent e.g. Mountaineering Club for Scotland, Scottish Cyclists Union, Scotland by Bike and St Andrews Links Trust
All the following must have an intimate knowledge of their subject or at least the needs of their specialist visitors.
Ancestral Tourism
Catering to the needs of the ancestral tourists are eligible to display and use the promotional material.
Anglers Welcome
Facilities should include: storage boxes for rods; a daily weather forecast; a freezer facility for bait or catch; facilities for gutting or preparing catches, or facilities for washing fishing tackle.
Arts Welcome (Edinburgh and the Lothians only)
Specific provision for guests attending cultural events or venues.
Bikers Welcome (Motorbikes)
Safe and secure parking. Good facilities for maintaining the motorbikes in top condition.
Children Welcome
Establishments need to demonstrate that they dont just tolerate children but also provide opportunities for play and are able to anticipate their needs in general.
Classic Cars Welcome
Safe and secure parking. Good facilities for maintaining the cars / vehicles in top condition.
Cyclists Welcome
Clothes drying facilities and flexible eating arrangements to accommodate unpredictable journeys.
Field Sports Welcome
Shooting requires special arrangements such as secure, legal storage boxes for guns and ammunition; a hanging facility for birds or storage facility for larger game; kennelling facilities for the dogs, and local knowledge on shooting opportunities. The days weather forecast;
Film Crews Welcome
Considerable flexibility required to work with this industry – eating arrangements and a back-up plan when the crew don’t get back til late. Additional parking facilities (and turning area) should be provided – think ..trucks and lorries. Secure storage facilities for equipment.
Golfers Welcome
Lockable storage for golf clubs; a daily weather forecast; or details of local transport, golf shops, or tee-off times.
Not essential but … Arrange rounds with the club on behalf of your visitors. You should also try to get a discount for your visitors from the local club if possible.
Visiting Golfers Welcome
Much the same as the above accreditation.
Groups Welcome
You should have additional facilities to meet the needs of larger organised groups staying in hostels. This will include the availability of bulk catering equipment and sufficient space and crockery for the entire group to cook and eat together as well as appropriately ‘group sized’ drying and equipment storage facilities.
Horses Welcome
Is the first quality-assured accommodation scheme for horses in the UK. A comprehensive set of recommendations for grazing, stabling and facilities while the dedicated Horses Welcome website will help you plan your route and book your riding holiday. (A British Horse Society welcome scheme and badge)
Walkers Welcome
Additional facilities for hill-walking visitors, such as clothes-drying facilities and flexible eating arrangements.
ENGLAND
Fees in ENGLAND can be seen here:-
The specifications and criteria for membership can be seen by clicking the links above (PDF file in new window)