A tale of (Dot) Tourism passion

Prologue

Our aim is tell a short history of a long term relationship we have with one of our clients, Tourism South East. In doing so we:

• demonstrate the value of doing business with Dot Tourism;
• help you connect with who we are and the company itself;
• demonstrate our core marketing message: ‘ Creating digital experiences in travel and tourism. With passion.’

It started with a movie

We first met with the South East England Tourist Board (as it was called before it merged with the Southern Tourist Board to form the wider reaching Tourism South East) in 2001 to discuss the design of an animated slideshow to give users an image overview of what the region can offer.

Things get serious

The client was very impressed with our design skills and friendly service that within three months we working on two larger projects. The first was a successful four way pitch to develop a portal site to introduce the US market to the South of England (covering all three regions of the South East, Southern and South West).

The second was the design, build and production of an interactive cd-rom focusing on the South East as a destination and targeting US consumers.

“Your professionalism, excellent design and attention to detail have once again contributed to a successful web marketing campaign delivered to a high standard, on time and to budget.”

Paul Chibeba, Communications Manager
South East England Tourist Board

Going steady

From 2001 through to 2005 we worked closely with the marketing department on a range of design and digital marketing projects. These ranged from small one off tasks to the design and build of five separate websites.

“We have commissioned Dot Tourism for several tourism e-campaigns and website marketing projects since 2001.

We are always extremely pleased with their efficient, friendly service and their in depth experience and knowledge of the travel & tourism sectors. They take special care to understand what is required, finding imaginative and well designed solutions and most importantly, always respecting our very tight deadlines!

I would recommend Dot Tourism to any organisation requiring a professional service at a very competitive cost! ”

Séverine Baey, Overseas Campaign Co-ordinator
Tourism South East

Long distance relationship

In 2005 SEETB merged with STB to form Tourism South East and relocated its base in Tunbridge Wells to Eastleigh in Hampshire.

We were concerned that the relocation and the resulting staff changes (many of the staff we had worked with had since left the organisation) would limit our relationship with Tourism South East.

However, word spread and in late 2005 we were contacted by Tourism South East’s ecommerce manager with an invitation to tender for a website to help inform potential hotel developers and investors of the opportunities available throughout the South East.

We won a competitive tender against a number of other suppliers and completed the site on time and to budget in early 2006.

Still going strong

After six years, over 100 projects and working with more than 25 different contacts at Tourism South East we are continuing to help the organisation with their digital marketing projects. In 2006 we launched the second version of Rural Ways, a large website with a custom content management system that aims to promote rural tourism throughout ten southern counties. We are constantly evaluating and updating this site. In the same year we were responsible for the production of an interactive CD-ROM aimed at the Chinese travel trade and to help promote the region as a tourism destination to new markets.

With our relationship entering the eighth year we are looking forward to further projects and continuing to help their marketing department. There has been plenty of challenging moments including very tight timescales, holding back scope creep and keeping to budgets. The variety of expertise needed from hosting services, technical programming, online branding through to multimedia applications and email marketing has given us an excellent opportunity to keep learning throughout.

Summary

Dominic Sawyer of Dot Tourism says:

Speaking to Tourism South East and reading their testimonials since 2001 we can see a pattern of factors that we see as key to the continued relationship.

They comment that we are very easy to work, sometimes even fun if you’ll believe them! This only takes you so far so it is very satisfying that we were always able to meet their challenges and devise and implement strong digital marketing strategies.

We have never failed to meet a deadline or a budget which may explain that we were able to work successfully with so many different representatives from one organisation. Our passion for the work was clear and helped carry us through any difficult moments that are sometimes encountered on projects.

“Working with Dominic and the rest of the Dot Tourism team has always been a pleasure. The Farm Walks project had an extremely tight turn-around time and the website represented the most important element of our marketing campaign. Even though they were still working on our Rural Ways project, Dot Tourism were able to craft the website from conception to launch in a matter of weeks. Not only was the site to full specification with complete functionality but the design guided the rest of our project branding and communications. We have already commissioned additional work as a result!”

James Blair, Development Officer
Tourism South East