High-tech boost to tourism (From Witney Gazette)

High-tech boost to tourism

11:20am Thursday 17th January 2008 in Witney By Ellie Simmonds

TOURISM bosses have launched a high-tech way of promoting some of Oxfordshire's most historic visitor attractions.

People visiting the county can find out about centuries-old attractions by logging on to a one-stop-shop tourism website.

Oxfordshire County Council officials have created a series of web pages with an interactive map and links to tourist attractions across the county - from Blenheim Palace to Bicester Village.

Before the web pages were launched this month, tourists could only find out information about local attractions by logging on to each of the five district councils' websites separately.

Helen Ryan, the county council's economic development and tourism officer, said: "We think that by introducing visitors to a wide range of attractions around the county and by inspiring them with ideas about how to spend their spare time, we may encourage visitors to stay longer and spend more within our local economy - which is of benefit to our local businesses."

Miss Ryan added Oxfordshire was world-famous for its historic university, but also had a wide variety of other attractions.

She said: "We have got West Oxfordshire, which is the gateway to the Cotswolds, offering a different environment to the Henley Regatta. It's helping visitors know about what's going on in Oxfordshire."

In 2005, the latest year figures are available, about 22m tourism trips were made to Oxfordshire - generating a total of £1.2bn. Of those, 2.6m were overnight trips, while 19.5m were day trips.

The new web pages offer information and ideas on things to do, where to stay, and how to get there, as well as events, attractions and news.

Keith Mitchell, leader of Oxfordshire County Council, said: "I am very pleased to see this clear and useful addition to our public website.

"We hope that this information will help visitors and also our local residents plan how to explore all parts of Oxfordshire."

County officials said 27,500 jobs - about ten per cent of Oxfordshire's working population - were supported by tourism.

Budding amateur photographers are also being invited to submit entries of their favourite places within Oxfordshire to build a picture gallery for the website.

Winners will be chosen monthly, and their photos will be featured on the main page. All pictures should be e-mailed to: economic.development @oxfordshire.gov.uk.

The new web pages are at: www.oxfordshire.gov.uk/ exploreoxfordshire