Bucking the Trend: Good News from Destination Oxford Tuesday 7th April 2009

£1 million of business - and counting!

Destination Oxford, the official conference and meetings venue-finding agency for Oxford and Oxfordshire, is celebrating its million-pound milestone - with the prospect of more good news to come.

Hoteliers, conference centres, transport providers, local authorities and service suppliers who gathered at Blenheim Palace for Destination Oxford's annual Partner's Evening, heard that the agency has now secured more than £1 million of business for the county since it was established just over three years ago.

Bucking the trend of economic gloom, Julie Archer, managing agent of Destination Oxford, painted a positive picture of Oxford and Oxfordshire's conference and meetings business in 2009 / 2010.

"Working together as Destination Oxford brings partners' vital benefits when times are tough", says Julie. "Whilst the recession has brought some changes in business patterns, our joint marketing activities are generating an encouraging outlook for the year ahead."

The agency reported that the current level of enquiries is holding up well, compared with previous years, with a slight increase in the proportion of enquiries coming from UK businesses sourcing venues for smaller-scale events.

Vigorous marketing at international shows and exhibitions, backed by a new, more multi-lingual website, has enabled Destination Oxford to maximize the opportunity presented by favourable exchange rates. Enquiries from overseas buyers are on the increase, with the USA, France, Germany, China and South Africa featuring most strongly in website visits.

Looking ahead, 2009 will also see some new and innovative activities designed to boost business in the UK conference and meetings market. In a pioneering move, Destination Oxford and it's partners will be inviting key London buyers to a special Oxfordshire Showcase of their venues and services, to be hosted in central London later this year.