Member News

Destination Worcestershire Partners with Oxygen8 Communications to Implement New Voting System for Local Awards

23 July 2010

-Tourism body encourages visitors and local residents to nominate the county’s best attractions via text message-

Destination Worcestershire, the destination marketing partnership for Worcestershire, has partnered with Oxygen8 Communications to provide a text messaging service for its ‘Worcestershire Welcome’ awards. Destination Worcestershire currently has approximately 140 members which include local attractions and accommodation providers throughout Worcestershire, such as Bed and Breakfasts, Guest Houses and Hotels.

Simon Tipple, Destination Worcestershire Manager explains, “Every year Destination Worcestershire organises the ‘Worcestershire Welcome’ awards. These awards highlight the best attractions and accommodation that the county has to offer visitors, in a bid to encourage more tourists to visit Worcestershire. The awards aim to present the county as an ideal location for short breaks and holidays.”

Tipple continues, “The initial stage of the awards is to ask the public to nominate the businesses they would like to honour, and this is where the SMS service that Oxygen8 provides comes in. Visitors are able to text their nominations to Destination Worcestershire as an additional form of voting. This is the first year we have included SMS voting and we have found that by offering this service, more people have been encouraged to vote.”

Tipple concludes, “The cost offered by Oxygen8 was very reasonable and the software was easy to implement. We have a great relationship with Oxygen8 and the team has met all of our requirements and is very helpful. In terms of the ‘Worcestershire Welcome’ awards, we found the SMS service very effective and it is certainly something we would look to do again next year.”

The ‘Worcestershire Welcome’ Awards ceremony took place on 30th June, at the Orchard Cafe in Worcester. The winners of the night were announced on the Destination Worcestershire website www.visitworcestershire.org