How to grow your tourism business for free

VisitBritain/VisitEngland’s relaunched Business Advice Hub provides free resources to help England tourism businesses to grow.

On the updated Hub you can…

  • Learn how to get international-ready and reach overseas markets effectively
  • Get top tips on digital marketing
  • Understand your legal obligations as an accommodation business
  • Find local support specific to your area
  • Explore case studies of real-life businesses

…and more.

Topics currently covered on the Hub are:

Start your business – The key target markets in your destination, guidance on the practicalities of setting up a new business and where to get help from mentors.

Find funding – Funding options for your business and guidance on managing finances more effectively to maximise your profit margins.

Know your legal obligations – On what grounds you can refuse a booking, what licences you need to provide TVs and how to comply with health & safety regulations. You can also buy a printed copy of the popular Pink Book: legislation for tourist accommodation.

Understand health and safety – Your legal responsibilities, how to run a safe business and create a Fire Risk Assessment using a free online tool.

Make your business accessible – Guidance, tools and resources to help you provide access for all – and gain a share of a £12 billion market. You can also create an Accessibility Guide for your businesses using a free online tool.

Make your business sustainable – How to save money, reduce your impact and win more customers with practical sustainability tips and case studies.

Employ and manage staff – Step-by-step guides to finding and employing staff, guidance on managing employees and information on apprenticeships.

Find training – Training courses for you and your staff on customer service, digital skills and inclusion.

Get quality assessed – How to get an official star rating or accreditation for your business from the national tourist board.

 Enter the Awards for Excellence – How to apply for one of the highest accolades in English tourism – the VisitEngland Awards for Excellence.

 Market your business – VisitEngland/VisitBritain marketing opportunities, our Digital Marketing Toolkit and best practice communication guides.

Attract international visitors – Guidance to help your business get ‘international ready’, including extensive research on overseas markets and our Inbound Tourism Toolkit.

Explore the Hub now at www.visitengland.org/businessadvice