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On the webinar from 7/4/21:

Today’s webinar featured guidance from Sam Salazar, Account Manager at Google, on their very latest tools available to help you get bookings, as well as highlights of how they are helping business get ready to reopen. Andy Rudd, owner of Sutherland House, joined us to tell us about the key improvements they have made to their business through lockdown, in readiness to reopen, and how some enforced changes through the pandemic have improved the efficiency of the business. Whilst David Weston, Chairman of the B&B Association, gave us the latest information at government level, and signposted the key all-important guidelines for reopening as we move towards welcoming guests back again.

On the webinar from 17/3/21:

Today we were joined by Booking.com and their Connectivity Partner Business Manager Sally Wickens, who shared the latest booking trends they are seeing for stays in the UK this year, as well as new supporting initiatives they are launching to help the independent accommodation sector recover. Owner of Blanch House in Brighton, Kerry Turner talked to us about the changes he has been making at his boutique hotel through the lockdown and how he is getting his team ready to reopen. Whilst Sue Opperman, Managing Director at Bed and Breakfast Nationwide and Holiday Cottage Nationwide, highlighted the continued importance of offline bookings for her members in an ever more digitalised world.

On the webinar from 10/3/21:

This week we looked at the main points on last week’s budget, and the implications for independent accommodation and any benefits to be had. Janet Uttley, Head of Business Support Transformation at Visit Britain. Joined is to highlight the latest customer sentiment trends for travel in 2021, how give hints and tips on how you can maximise your success in a staycation-rich summer. CEO of Not In The Guidebooks, Carol Savage showcased the trends they have seen with regards to bookings, and how working with local activity providers can open you up to new lucrative niche markets. Whilst Paula Smalley, Owner of Tigh na Mara on the Island of Coll, shared details of the improvements she has made to her property during Lockdown, and how she is bringing in new guests.

On the webinar from 24/2/21:

Today we reviewed the Government’s reopening roadmap , as well as the new types of demand that have emerged from 2020, and how you can appeal to staycation newbies.

Development Manager at the Federation of Small Businesses Katrina Pierce highlighted how they have been helping SMEs through the pandemic, and the benefits of working with other small businesses in your community for mutual gains. Liz Lamport, Owner of Bulleigh Barton Manor highlighted the changes she has made at her property through lockdown and how she is driving direct bookings. Whilst Michael Dean, Owner of The Old Vicarage in Llangurig, shared his insight of how working with local leisure activity providers has opened him up to a new pool of guests.

On the webinar from 10/2/21:

This week we continued with our lockdown learning as we looked at further changes to make to the marketing of your property now, so you are ready to hit the ground running when guests return.

Founder of Proof Content Charli Hunt gave us hints and tips on our copy, and how telling your story should be a key part of your website content. Roger Masterson, Company Director of Celtic Castles highlighted the importance of being on niche distribution websites to capture bookings as guest search in more detail. Plus owner of Blervie Castle Sheena Thompson told us her story and the innovative ways she uses to drive bookings from different sources.

On the webinar from 27/1/21:

We continued to look at things learned through previous lockdowns that we could be and should be implementing now, to best benefit when bookings return, and this time focusing on guest and review management.

MD of GuestTalk Karen Foster highlighted how managing guests remotely using technology has become of ever increasing importance through the pandemic, and how future guests are now proactively looking for this when the book. Owner of Elim House Mark Scott talked about the changes through 2020 that he made when managing guests and how this helped him have a very successful summer. Whilst Francisco Padillo Key Account Manager at TrustYou showed us how online reputation and reviews are more important than ever, and how to use these to help get bookings.

On the webinar from 20/1/21:

Today we looked at what we learned through the lockdowns of 2020 in relation to setting rates and our websites, that we can apply now in the current lockdown, to be ready to attract guests through 2021.

Co-Founder of RoomPriceGenie Marvin Speh took us through hints and tips around setting rates to attract bookings in the new travel landscape we are now in, so businesses are ready for 2021 bookings. Whilst Nathan Lomax, Co-Founder of Quickfire Digital highlighted must dos on an accommodation businesses websites, in order to help get bookings for 2021. Plus Richard Kerrison highlighted the changes he made at his property Roundabout Farm in the last lockdown, that saw him have a bumper summer in 2020, and the changes he is making now to be ready for this year.

On the webinar from 16/12/20:

Today we covered how to prepare and present your property perfectly to capture bookings through 2021, and what you can do now to get ready.

Interior Designer Emily May joined us to share her best cost effective interior décor tips to wow your guests. Léa Neskins from Utopix highlighted what images future guests want to see in order to book, and that you should therefore have on your website. Whilst Alistair Veness shared the inspiration behind the décor at his property, Brightham Boutique Bed and Breakfast, what guests like, and how he captured great interior photos.

Plus we finished the webinar with a little festive fun as we wish you all Season’s Greetings.

On the webinar from 25/11/20:

This week we focused on how businesses have adapted through this challenging year, what worked, and what we can take forward in to 2021.

Alistair Handyside from PASC joined us to highlight adaptations to make for self-catering and vacation rental businesses, whilst Stuart Mills from Useyourlocal.com starred how developing rooms at pubs and Inns can be a great revenue stream, and an important one next year.

Kelly and Paul Johnson, Licensees of The Ship Inn, Wylam highlighted how investing in their rooms has worked, and other innovative ways they adapted through 2020. While Christopher Trim, owner of Old Church Farm, talked about how his office spaces and rooms are in high demand, and a long-term celebrity guest who stayed this summer.

On the webinar from 28/10/20:

The webinar focuses on how to capture bookings in the current travel climate, and how the latest lockdown measures are affecting business.

Janet Uttley, Head of Business Support Transformation at Visit Britain, joined us as we looked at the results of their latest UK traveller sentiment tracker. To establish what current guest expectations are when booking.

David Weston, Chairman of the B&B Association gave us an update on the latest information from Government and what it’s doing to help our sector.

Plus we took a look across key initiatives, best practices and ideas cited in the most relevant articles in the recent travel press, to highlight what can be done now to help capture the demand that is currently out there.

On webinar 19 from 26/8/20:

For our 19th COVID-19 webinar our focus was on how to present your property at its best and capture a new audience of staycation guests.

We were pleased to welcome Sophie Welch, Director of branding and design agency By Nine, to explore the increasing importance of having a strong brand run through your business, and why now more than ever it is a vital element of marketing strategy.

We were also joined by Nigel Sillis of Chelsea House, Falmouth who talked about the experience of re-opening their stylish B&B and how they are appealling to a new audience of younger guests holidaying in the UK, some for the first time.

On webinar 18 from 5/8/20:

This week we were joined by Sarina Hilke, Senior Account Manager – Strategic Accounts at Expedia, to talk through how we can all work together on the road to recover.

We talked with Pieter-Paul Groenhuijsen, of Wilderness Reserve in the Scottish Highlands, to hear how demand is returning as all accommodation in Scotland is now open again.

Plus we also caught up again with Anne McDonald, of The Spey also in the Highlands, who highlighted the changes they have made during lockdown, and updated us on their experiences and the attitudes of guests as they return to stay.

On webinar 17 from 22/7/20:

This week we were joined by Sally Wickens, Connectivity Partner Business Manager at Booking.com, who provided valuable insights on booking patterns post-lockdown and how the OTA is working with businesses to help rebuild bookings to previous levels.

We caught up again with Anthony Davies, of Cosy Dragons, Abergavenny, to hear how he has welcomed leisure guests back to Wales and plans to continue working with key workers and homeless, hosted during lockdown.

Gill Jones, of Amber House, Arlewas also returned to update us on the community initiatives she’s been involved in and the attitudes of guests returning to stay once again.

On webinar 16 from 8/7/20:

With accommodation in England and Northern Ireland open again, we took the opportunity to catch up with some previous webinar guests.

We heard from Chris Heayns, of Mill Meadow, Taunton about bookings at his self catering cottages and the switch from hosting key workers to tourists again – and got an update on his DIY to-do list!

Penny & Gary Lowen, of Gleneagles Guesthouse, Southend-on-Sea told us about how their afternoon tea deliveries took off during lockdown.

Finally Claire Smith of Number One St Lukes and StayBlackpool told us how her property and the resort Blackpool is now ‘good to go’.

On webinar 15 from 1/7/20:

We were very pleased to welcome this week Alistair Handyside, Executive Chairman of the Professional Association of Self-Caterers and owner of  Higher Wiscombe Holiday Cottages in Devon. Alistair shared his wealth of knowledge on what the constantly evolving guidance on reopening means for self catering and other accommodation providers, and tips on how to keep up to date with changes.

We were also pleased to welcome Tony Brennan of Tower Guest House, York’s top B&B, and developer of an app to help with remote check-in, to hear about how he is gearing up his business ready for an eagerly awaited reopening on 4th July.

On webinar 14 from 24/6/20:

This week we took a more detailed looked at the key elements of the official UK Government guidelines for re-opening with David Weston, Chair of the B&B Association.

Simon Numphud, Managing Director at AA Media talked about how important instilling guest confidence will be encourage guests to book as businesses reopen, and how The AA’s new COVID Confident scheme will help.

David Brown, Director at Farm Stay UK and the owner of Hoe Grange Holidays near Matlock, highlighted how he is preparing for the return of guests, and the support the group has been offering Farm Stay members.

On webinar 13 from 17/6/20:

Sue Clarke, Sales and Marketing Manager for Cumbria Tourism joined us for this webinar. Sue highlighted how the official tourism organisation for the county is gearing up for the return of tourism post-lockdown, and the actions they are advising accommodation businesses to take do to be ready to welcome visitors once more.

Then Karen Thorne, owner of Hopton House B&B near Ludlow, highlighted how she is preparing her property to welcome guests again. Karen also runs the B&B Academy, to help people set up and run a B&B, and we discussed what she is supporting her Academy graduates to do now to ensure they are ready to open too.

On webinar 12 from 10/6/20:

In this edition we talked with Melinda Beckett-Hughes of Ayuda House in Bowden, Cheshire, whose tailor-made retreats give guests a stress-free stay. Melinda is also an experienced life coach and counsellor, so we also explored the psychological impact of COVID-19 0n guests and businesses.

Karen Wells-West talked about how your property can be both clean and green, offering tips from her Green Tourism Gold award property, The Sanctuary Eco B&B, in Golant, Cornwall.

Then GuestTalk’s Karen Foster highlighted how managing elements of operations remotely can be of real benefit in a post-lockdown age of travel.

On webinar 11 from 3/6/20:

This week, Janet Uttley from Visit England brought us up to speed on the new industry standard being developed to help with consumer messaging and reassurance for when hospitality businesses begin to open up again.

We also heard from Lyn Martin of Dorset House, Lyme Regis, on how they are have been successfully communicating with guests and keeping them keen to come back as soon as they can, as well as finding out about new processes being put in place to keep their guests safe.

Finally, Sapphire Stein showed us how high-tech tools from Wishbox are helping business tackle challenges such as contactless check-in and guest registration.

On webinar 10 from 27/5/20:

Our 10th Share webinar! This week we welcomed Gemma Elizabeth Conway of Cotswold Cottage Gems, an award-winning agency offering boutique Cotswold holiday cottages and leaned about their ambitious expansion plans.

We also spoke to Wayne Jones from No.27, one of Brighton’s top B&Bs about the impact of coronavirus on the city’s visitors and about how the hospitality industry will be welcoming them back.

Our third guest was Anthony Davies of Welsh serviced accommodation agency Cosy Dragons, about what re-opening will mean for their properties and guests post lockdown.

On webinar 9 from 20/5/20:

We talked linen – quality, care, and COVID cleaning with Marc Wynne, International Sales Director at Vision Support Services, one of the country’s leading linen suppliers to the hospitality industry. Marc offered insight and advice on getting the best from your bedding and on the concept of clean room marketing.

Popular tourist destinations such as the Lake District are among the hardest hit by the impact of COVID-19. This week we were also joined by Kate O’Donovan of Maple Bank Guest House near Keswick to hear about changes to their business, preparations for re-opening, and on managing guest expectations and communications.

On webinar 8 from 13/5/20:

In future, guests will want to be sure that their accommodation is safe to stay in, and that will mean COVID clean. But how do you ensure your property meets expectations, and how can you show it?

On this week’s webinar, Durk Johnson, founder of Cleaning Solutions Team and Executive Director of Vacation Rental Housekeeping Professionals in the US, shared his knowledge and answered questions on cleaning considerations for rental properties and B&Bs.

Then Liana Stevens, of Wester Dura B&B and self catering, in Cupar, Fife (and a qualified bio-chemist!) discussed separation, self check-in, servicing of rooms and soft furnishings.

On webinar 7 from 6/5/20:

We couldn’t go to the pub…so the pub came to us! On this webinar we heard from Paul Nunny, founding director of Stay in a Pub, talk about how pubs are dealing with the lockdown and how they can prepare for the recovery.

We were also joined by John Pickup from community-run pub The Pheasant at Neenton, Shropshire to discuss changes they have made and are planning to be able to welcome guests once again.

Jim Jones, of Palmers Brewery in Dorset, was also with us to talk about how their pubs with rooms are keeping on the front foot, and how they’ve stopped brewing only once in the last 226 years!

On webinar 6 from 29/4/20:

Our guests this week were Jason Jones, of Boscudle Manor, near St Austell, who took ownership of his property just before lockdown and is now preparing to open under very different circumstances.

Charlotte Goy, Interim CEO at Visit Lincoln joined us to talk about how the organisation is supporting its members across Lincolnshire with targeted help and advice and how the city is planning for when it can welcome visitors once again.

And Liam Walsh & Christy Doherty of Station  B&B and Bridge B&B in Derry/Londonderry discussed accommodating vulnerable guests what future visitors will be looking for, such as cleaning certification.

On webinar 5 from 22/4/20:

Guest contributors this week included Gill Craddock, of Mill Croft B&B, Goathland, who  created a Change.org petition to campaign for financial support for B&B paying council tax, not business rates.

Gill was joined by Michael Smout, Head of Marketing at the Family Holiday Association, eviivo’s charity partner, to talk about how to get involved in The 2.6 Challenge.

Plus, Penny & Gary Lowen, of Gleneagles Guesthouse, Southend-on-Sea talked about their success in setting up an afternoon tea delivery service!

On webinar 4 from 15/4/20:

This weeks’ webinar guests included Hillary Lindon, of Church Villa, Chesterfield, to talk about the key workers staying with her and tips to adapt to their requirements.

Claire Smith, B&B owner and Chair of Stay Blackpool explained how the organisation is helping members to deal collectively with coronavirus by offering advice and support, and how the usually busy resort was dealing with a lack of visitors.

Finally, Birgit Drixelius-Benjamin from The Blacksmiths Arms, near Lewes talked about the innovative ways they are continuing to serve their pub guests.

On webinar 3 from 8/4/20:

We were pleased to welcome to this webinar Chris Heayns, of Mill Meadow, Taunton to talk about the key worker guests staying at his self-catering cottages, and how Visit Somerset (of which Chris is a Board member) is supporting local tourism businesses.

Experienced AA hotel inspector, Paul Hackett, provided useful advice on how to focus on quality improvements during lockdown and Janette Likeman, Graysonside , Cockermouth spoke about how her business is coping during the coronavirus crisis.

On webinar 2 from 1/4/20:

Joining us this week was Gill Jones of Amber House, Arelwas, talking about the changes she has made to her B&B business to accommodate key workers.

We were also joined by Anne MacDonald, of The Spey, Grantown-on-Spey, discussing how she is using this period of time without guests to effectively make changes to her business, identifying new suppliers and looking at new ideas.

On webinar 1 from 25/3/20:

For our first webinars we were pleased to introduce David Weston, Chair of the B&B Association. David updated on his involvement on the Tourism Industry Council (TIC) and discussions with the Tourism Minister and the Department of Culture Media & Sport to ensure B&Bs are represented in Government considerations.

David joins us every week for up to the minute updates on developments