More than 12 million visitors a year (2005 estimate) looking to find out more! We are offering the opportunity for an organisation or consortium to become the Promotion Lead for the National Trail family in England and Wales.
The National Trail family is a network of outstanding, diverse, long distance routes supported by the trusted acorn brand, and used daily by thousands of walkers, runners, cyclists and horse riders.
The following is an invitation from Natural England and the Countryside Council for Wales to register interest in and find out more about becoming the Promotion Lead for the family of National Trails.
This is an opportunity to promote a coveted, recreational facility which benefits from an established, valued brand and a recognised website presence, and to engage both with the audience that the National Trail family attracts and the businesses it supports.
National Trails – Our access gems
Created and developed by Natural England and Countryside Council for Wales (and their predecessor bodies), the National Trail family consists of 15 inspirational long distance recreation routes across England and Wales. With approximately 4000km of locally managed trail now in place enabling access to some of England and Wales most iconic and spectacular scenery, we are looking for a partner to better promote the family and the sometimes life changing experiences offered.
The opportunity
In order to drive forward the promotion of the National Trail family, better meet the needs of existing users and reach new audiences, we are seeking an organisation (or consortium) to take on the promotion of this unique national asset. The Promotion Lead will drive the communications strategy, access the benefits associated with the brand, audience and ancillary businesses, and be able to develop opportunities arising from changes in digital and communication technology.
The Promotion Lead may be a private or 3rd sector organisation or a consortium of either or both organisation types.
We are committed to ensuring the continued provision of these high quality routes through implementation of exacting quality standards. We will also ensure the availability of necessary source information.
We are interested in new ideas to proactively develop and improve information provision to existing users and promote the National Trail family, both to those currently targeted and to more diverse, potential audience.
Timescale
Implementation of the new relationship needs to be completed and ready to go ‘live’ on 1st April 2013.
It is expected that an overarching Agreement between Natural England, Countryside Council for Wales and the third party will establish the relationship and that it will be finalised by autumn 2012.
Registering your interest
To find out more and receive the NT Promotion Lead brief, including details of the process and the evaluation criteria, please register your interest in this opportunity on Bravo by 5pm 29th June 2012. Please note failure to register interest by the date specified may disqualify you from further consideration.
Bravo is an e-tendering web portal and although this is not a tender in the true sense of the word, we will be using this Portal to manage the documentation in providing information, receiving and answering questions and receiving proposals. To register for Bravo please follow the link: https://naturalengland.bravosolution.co.uk
If you have any problems with the registration process, please contact the Bravo helpline on 0800 368 4850 or alternatively email them at help@bravosolution.co.uk.
Note: The England Coast Path will be added to the National Trail family as and when individual stretches come on line. The Wales Coast Path is promoted independently from National Trails at the moment and this arrangement will continue. However, it could be considered for joint promotion in the future.