West Sussex Tourism Update - Update from National Cyber Security Centre
IMPORTANT UPDATE - Update from the National Cyber Security Centre
Following Russia’s further violation of Ukraine’s territorial integrity, the National Cyber Security Centre has called on organisations in the UK to bolster their online defences.
The NCSC – which is a part of GCHQ – has urged organisations to follow its guidance on steps to take when the cyber threat is heightened. There is specific support and guidance for organisations of different sizes:
- CNI, large organisations and public sector – NCSC alert
- SMEs – Small business guide
- Microbusinesses, sole traders – Cyber Action plan
- Citizens – Cyber Aware
Organisations should also consider adopting Cyber Essentials to help guard against the most common cyber threats and demonstrate a commitment to cyber security.
While the NCSC is not aware of any current specific threats to UK organisations in relation to events in and around Ukraine, there has been an historical pattern of cyber attacks on Ukraine with international consequences.
The guidance encourages organisations to follow actionable steps which reduce the risk of your organisation falling victim to an attack.
We would also encourage you to follow the NCSC’s social media channels: LinkedIn and Twitter for further alerts and updates.
If you have any questions, please contact [email protected] who will be happy to assist.
Ukraine conflict and tourism
Over the last two weeks, my thoughts have been with the Ukrainians and the horrific situation they are in, it is utterly heart breaking. If you have time, please watch and share this brave and eloquent interview with a fellow tourism colleague - Mariana Oleskiv, the Director of Ukraine State Tourism - https://www.youtube.com/watch?app=desktop&v=LAeX7H3HCKo –Mariana talks about the horrific impacts on the people of Ukraine. She also talks about how the tourism and IT industry is supporting the evacuation effort. Mariana also talks about the destruction of their airports, transport and cultural heritage. I have seen creative ways online where people are using existing tourism sales infrastructure to share money and information - 1) to get money to Ukrainians by booking accommodation through Air bnb - and 2) to send on the ground updates and information to the Russian people via Air bnb site bookings to support t counteract the disinformation war. It is so heartening to see such an outpouring of support by so many people in the UK, and the tourism industry, who just want to help. However I personally recommend using a verified and established donation route using the Disaster Emergency Committee to shore up immediate and long term financial support that can be targeted for when and where it is needed most - run by professional organisations who are experts in this field. https://www.dec.org.uk/?gclid=EAIaIQobChMIn9r2hpG09gIVQ-3tCh2VvABPEAAYASAAEgIPzPD_BwE . West Sussex County Council has just last week declared they officially stand in support of Ukraine – more info here
West Sussex Tourism Recovery
With relevance to West Sussex and this West Sussex visitor economy group, this conflict will certainly hamper tourism recovery from some international markets this year, and there will be higher aviation fuel costs and already disruption to EU airspace and flying times – we will keep sending you intelligence on this topic, it may be fast changing. The domestic market and levels of visitor spend are also going to be challenged by the UK traveller being squeezed by eye watering rises in energy bills, food and fuel. DCMS and Tourism Alliance are asking for submissions on information regarding impacts that the war in Ukraine is having on UK tourism businesses - be that inbound or outbound – so that they can monitor the situation. So please let me know and I can forward on. Do keep talking to us about how’s business, what are the issues that matter and we will continue to feed this into to our local MPs, DCMS, Visit Britain and local Sussex business support. We are still waiting for financial settlement details on the Government’s levelling up agenda and the shared prosperity funds, along with what funds will find their way to Sussex and the South East. Visit Britain has released the following strategy and new £10 million pound campaign. https://www.visitbritain.org/our-five-year-strategy & https://www.gov.uk/government/news/prime-minister-declares-uk-one-of-the-most-open-countries-in-europe-and-ready-for-an-international-tourism-boom I also attach the latest International recovery overview from Tourism South East – although both these were written and sent out pre invasion of Ukraine. Some latest industry insight currently around the conflict, travel and tourism – the Skift podcast is really interesting and a trusted analysis for the industry - links here:
Rafat Ali,Skift Podcast - https://skift.com/2022/02/28/podcast-connecting-the-dots-on-travels-fallout-from-russia-ukraine-war/
Travel World Response - CNNhttps://edition.cnn.com/travel/article/travel-world-response-ukraine-invasion/index.html
Forbes on US market- https://www.forbes.com/sites/suzannerowankelleher/2022/03/04/war-ukraine-travel-americans/?sh=6413c35f76b9
Your wellbeing - You need to be well to do well.
Remember to take some much needed mental breaks from the current 24/7 doomscrolling, and encourage your teams to do the same. Take time to get outside, go for a walk, book in some walk and talk meetings, and find some headspace. It’s been a rough two years for the visitor economy and 2022 is having a very bumpy start!
Support for Mental Health at work - https://www.mentalhealthatwork.org.uk/
ACAS is launching a new resource to support small businesses and organisations with mental health and wellbeing in the workplace - Supporting mental health at work - Acas
Take a Mental Break
Cycling https://www.experiencewestsussex.com/things-to-do/cycling/
Walking https://www.experiencewestsussex.com/things-to-do/walking-2/
Active Outdoors - https://www.experiencewestsussex.com/things-to-do/active-outdoors/
Easy Country side Walks – West Sussex EasyCountrysideTrails Final.pdf (westsussex.gov.uk)
South Downs Walks, trails and bike routes – lots of info here https://www.southdowns.gov.uk/get-active/
Horsham area https://www.horsham.gov.uk/sport-and-leisure/walking/walking-routes
Crawley Walks in England: Exploring Tilgate Park in Crawley - YouTube
Adur and Worthing Being active > Healthy walks / Adur & Worthing Wellbeing / Provided by West Sussex County Council and Adur & Worthing Councils (westsussexwellbeing.org.uk)
Chichester harbour - Walking in Chichester Harbour (conservancy.co.uk)
Chichester City Walls Walk - visitleafresized_1.pdf (thegreatsussexway.org)
Arundel - https://www.visitarundel.co.uk/countryside-and-walks/
Mid Sussex- Walking in Mid Sussex - Mid Sussex District Council
Experience West Sussex News - Marketing, Events, Business Support and Toolkits
Our latest Business news update is just out today Your March Update (experiencewestsussex.com) and includes call outs for the next three months on how you can get involved in Experience West Sussex Partnership activities. Come and join us in person on 29th March at our West Sussex Tourism Symposium – it is shaping up to be a brilliant and energising session and so exciting that it is in person😊 Full details and much more here Your March Update (experiencewestsussex.com) I am so looking forward to actually be able to talk to you all in person and have a proper real life discussion, sharing our thoughts, experience knowledge and expertise on how to grow the West Sussex visitor offer and our economy. No more ‘ Jo, you are on mute’!
EWS Marketing Update - New EWS Assets and campaigns being developed - Call out for your favourite Sussex Podcasts.
- Boosting Easter and Summer Accommodation bookings – Delivering a £20K campaign with Expedia to boost bookings this season, reaching a hot audience, converting lookers to bookers, encouraging Expedia audiences considering competitive destinations to choose West Sussex instead. Running March to May. Delivering bookings and also data insight - will share report post campaign. Expedia will also be at our 29th March Symposium talking West Sussex data insights.
- Discover the people behind the scenes of the Sussex Story – Hear, See, Learn and laugh with the people that make Sussex a special destination to visit. A spotlight on what makes West Sussex tick
EWS team are currently filming a new series of short videos around the county designed to ‘look behind the scenes’ at what West Sussex has to offer the mature visitor who has the time and money to stay longer and explore more, especially out of high season. The series will include Meet the Historian, Meet the Artist/Entrepreneur/ Wine Maker/ Wildlife Expert. The videos will also be informative for local residents and encourage them to explore their own area, highlighting things that they might not necessarily know and encouraging them to explore West Sussex.
Distribution will be via You Tube, Vimeo, social media and paid advertising. The videos will be on the Experience West Sussex website and can all be shared on partner platforms. We are currently working on an overarching campaign that curates relevant podcasts and local personality interviews, that positively showcase the different aspects of West Sussex that make for an interesting experience, with local top tips - inspiring engaged audiences to consider West Sussex for a visit and to encourage visitors to engage with the Sussex stories, history and landscapes through the podcasts before and whilst in destination.
In production. Campaign release Post Easter to June.
Relevant Tourism Alliance Updates from the last two weeks
- Home Office Immigration Pack For Employers
I have attached a new pack from the Home Office on how employers can use the new Points-based immigration scheme to gain people with the skills they need. The pack contains, or has links to various guidance document and videos that are particularly useful for businesses trying to navigate their way through this new landscape. SEE ATTACHMENT UK PBIS – Employers Pack
- Right To Work, Rent and Cr4inimal Record Checks
At the end of last year the government announced its intention to enable employers and landlords to use certified digital identity service providers to carry out identity checks on their behalf for many who are not in scope to use the Home Office online services, including British and Irish citizens (the legislation to do this will take effect from 6 April 2022). To achieve this, DCMS has been developing a system for certifying Digital Identity Service Providers (IDSPs) – ie., companies that have been certified as being able to undertake digital identity checks for employers. This process has now been put in place and is being managed by UKAS (the new UK Accreditation Service that was established as a result Brexit to take over certification work that used to be done by the EU). They are in the process of assessing the following six organisations against the “UK Digital Identity and Attributes Trust Framework” to determine whether they should be given IDSP status.
- Age Check Certification Services Ltd trading as Digital ID Systems Certification
- Amtivo Group Limited trading as British Assessment Bureau and Certification Europe
- Eurofins CML
- BSI
- Kantara
- NQA
While it will not be mandatory for employers and landlords to use a certified IDSP for the purposes of right to work and right to rent checks, the Home Office recommends employers and landlords use a certified IDSP. However, for DBS checks, employers will be required to use a certified IDSP in future.
Here is a link to more detail about the new scheme and how it is being implemented.
- Employment Figures
ONS has published new data on employment in the UK from 2014 to 2021. This includes a section on the accommodation and food services which highlights both the impact of Covid and Brexit on employment in the sector. Some of the key findings are:
- 296,000 employees in the sector were EU nationals in July 2014. Up to June 2019, this increased by 105,000 to 401,000, a 35% increase
- 205,000 employees were non-EU nationals in July 2014. Up to June 2019, this increased by 17,000 to 223,000, an 8% increase
- Between June 2019 and June 2021, the number of EU nationals fell by 98,000 to 303,000, a 25% decrease. Comparatively, payrolled employments held by non-EU nationals remained close to the same level as in June 2019 at 222,000
- Between June 2019 and June 2021, accommodation and food services saw the largest decrease of employment of any sector. The total number of employees decreased by 124,000, largely due to a drop of 98,000 EU national employees.
- Thank You Day Reminder
In an update a couple of weeks’ back I sent out a item regarding support for Thank You Day. To remind you Thank You Day is an initiative that was started last year to thank everyone that helped during the pandemic with an emphasis on NHS workers. The initiative was supported by a wide range of organisations and around 2 million people took part. This success has inspired the organisers to turn Thank You Day into an annual event (this year’s Thank You Day is 5th June which is the Sunday of the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee) and to lobby for the creation of a new National Holiday.
As a new National Holiday would be of considerable benefit to the tourism industry the Tourism Alliance is supporting their lobbying. Part of this is to get as many businesses and associations to sign to the following letter. The deadline for this is the end of this week. Could you therefore email Barry Johnston at Purpose Union [email protected] to add your organisation to the signatories for the following letter.
Dear Prime Minister/Chancellor,
On behalf of the British businesses we represent, we are supporting the creation of a new annual public holiday - a Thank Holiday - from 2023.
All of our businesses will be doing our bit during this year’s Jubilee bank holiday to celebrate the Queen’s extraordinary public service.
We ask that you take this opportunity not only to recognise the Queen’s enduring contribution but the service and kindness of millions in our communities, especially during the pandemic.
A Thank Holiday would provide a moment every year for individuals and communities to come together, to thank those who have contributed in ways big and small to making our country a better place to live, and to create new bonds that will strengthen our society.
The campaign has already received widespread support from an extraordinary number of individuals and organisations. We are pleased to show that businesses are also firmly behind the idea.
We are convinced that the benefits of a new holiday would outweigh the costs, as well as serving as a demonstration of our national values and compassion. As a group of business https://thankyouday.org.uk/ leaders, we stand ready to work with you to achieve this.
Yours,
More information on the Thank You Day initiative is available on the following link https://thankyouday.org.uk/
- Welcome To Yorkshire
It has been reported today that Welcome to Yorkshire has gone into administration. The one bit of good news is that it seems like the councils in Yorkshire realise the strength of the brand and are working on setting up a new venture to promote the county. It is speculated that this new venture might be directly controlled by local authorities and operate as public body. This episode highlights the precarious funding of many DMOs and the need for the De Bois Review to be fully implemented so that we have a strong DMO network to develop destinations and the encourage domestic tourism.
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-york-north-yorkshire-60574461
- Museum and Gallery Visits
DCMS has published data on visitor number to the national museums and galleries. The data is to the end of December 2021 but shows that there is considerable ground to recover to return visitor number of pre-covid levels. The tables show that visitor number per month recovered to 45% of pre-covid level in October 2021 but dropped to 38% when Omicron struck in December
https://www.gov.uk/government/statistical-data-sets/museums-and-galleries-monthly-visits
- Redistribution Of Arts Council Funding
DCMS has announced both an increase in arts and cultural funding and changes to how this funding is to be distributed. Funding through the Arts Council is set to increase by £75m to £250m by 2025 while the Government plans to create around 80 new National Portfolio Organisations (NPOs) which will be eligible to receive this funding. The creation of the new MPOs will be prioritised to areas that historically have had low investment in arts and culture in support of the Government’s Levelling-Up agenda
- Updated PTR Infographic
Attached is an updated version of the PTR infographic that highlights the benefits of amending to support the rebuilding of the Domestic Tourism Industry. Now that we have left the EU, there is a simple amendment that would both support domestic tourism businesses working together to provide discounted offers to customers while at the same time protect people undertaking package holidays. It would also support DMOs by enabling them to work with their members to create and sell special deals that supported their marketing campaigns. If you need a larger briefing on this issue, just let me know.
- New VAT Infographic
I’ve attached a copy of a new VAT infographic that we have put together with UK Hospitality, BBPA and AVLA as part of the lobbying work on this issue. This is being sent to all MPs as part of a package on tourism policy material in the lead-up to English Tourism Week and is something that you are welcome to distribute to members as an aid when talking to their local MP about the importance of retaining the 12.5% VAT rate to the recovery of the UK tourism industry.