In this episode, Kelly chats with specialist tourism consultant Seren Welch about the huge impact of film and TV locations on visitor numbers and how you can tap into the growing world of screen tourism whether you are a destination, an attraction or a café in the area.

They cover why film tourism matters more than ever, how destinations like Bristol and Bath are capitalising on it, and practical ways attractions, destinations, and tourism businesses can make the most of any filming that happens locally.

From building themed experiences and tours to working with apps like SetJetters, there's a world of opportunity for the visitor economy.

For the full summary with tips and ideas shared in this episode head to the Visitor Elves website https://visitorelves.co.uk/ep-58-screen-tourism-seren-walsh/

LaToyah explains how St Paul's Carnival was founded to foster social cohesion within the Windrush generation community, providing a platform for African Caribbean people to share their stories and culture.

Managing an event of this scale, with over 120,000 attendees in 2023, presents significant challenges. LaToyah discusses the complex balancing act of coordinating the diverse stakeholders, from local authorities to community artists, while preserving the carnival's grassroots spirit.

Due to funding constraints, the 2025 carnival will be scaled down, but LaToyah is committed to continuing to celebrate African Caribbean arts and culture through smaller, community-focused events. She also shares her other leadership roles, including at Bristol Old Vic and the Lumen Space well-being retreat business she co-founded.

Throughout the conversation, LaToyah's passion for social justice, community empowerment, and the transformative power of the arts shines through, offering listeners an inspiring glimpse into the world of this iconic cultural event.

For all links and a full summary of the conversation head to the Visitor Elves website.

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This episode is sponsored by Hello Starling.

Hello Starling, is an award-winning Media Planning and Buying agency that specialises in delivering advertising campaigns with great results for visitor attractions and destinations.

They've worked with brands such as Bristol Zoo Project, Visit Shropshire, Visit Conwy, Visit Herefordshire and the National Tourism Office for Poland. If you want to be the centre of attention, visit hellostarling.com today.

If you have enjoyed this podcast episode, please take a moment to give me a few stars on Apple podcasts or Spotify, it helps to encourage more people to listen and learn from our stories. 🙏

Join host Kelly Ballard as she chats with the dynamic digital marketing duo Shonette Laffy & Laura Valentine from Visit West, the team behind VisitBath, Visit Bristol, and Meet Bristol & Bath. With over 3 million website visits annually and a social reach of 9.5 million, they share:

✨ The evolution of digital marketing at Visit West

🌍 How dynamic content & AI enhance visitor experiences

📱 Social media strategy & the power of user-generated content

🌱 The impact of digital sustainability & practical tips for businesses

📝 Expert content planning strategies to stay ahead

Plus, top tips for businesses to maximise their presence on a DMO (Destination Marketing Organisation) website and optimise their social media game.

Visit West latest opportunities

Visit West content calendar

For a full summary of what was discussed and more links mentioned head to the Visitor Elves website.

This episode is sponsored by Hello Starling.

Hello Starling, is an award-winning Media Planning and Buying agency that specialises in delivering advertising campaigns with great results for visitor attractions and destinations.

They've worked with brands such as Bristol Zoo Project, Visit Shropshire, Visit Conwy, Visit Herefordshire and the National Tourism Office for Poland. If you want to be the centre of attention, visit hellostarling.com today.

If you have enjoyed this podcast episode, please take a moment to give me a few stars on Apple podcasts or Spotify. It helps more people to find it.