Starting a tourism business
Many people dream of escaping the rat race and starting a tourism business in a beautiful location like Cumbria. Prevent your dream from becoming a nightmare by making sure you know exactly what's involved before you sign that resignation letter. Cumbria Tourism can offer you lots of support and information to help you plan for your new venture. While this section is written with accommodation providers in mind, much of the information can easily transfer to other types of tourism businesses.
1. Is this the life for you?
Talk to other business owners and have a realistic look at the number and type of hours they work. Do they manage the business alone or with the help of staff? Stay in a variety of other establishments (across the country) and check out what the competition offers and what you consider to be good (and bad) practice. If you're hoping to have every evening to yourself, or even most afternoons, this might not be the life for you.
Will you genuinely enjoy welcoming strangers into your life, and are you patient with a sunny, warm and welcoming disposition? If not, is there a behind- the-scenes role you can take while someone else provides the public face?
2. Get informed - do your research
Perhaps you want to know about the competition out there - just how many B&Bs are there in the Lake District? Or perhaps you want an idea of the kind of occupancy rates you could expect to achieve with a five star self catering cottage, or a B&B with a silver award? And most importantly you'll need to know about your potential market - who are the visitors to Cumbria? What do they do here, where do they come from, how do they choose their accommodation, and how can you find them? Answers to these questions and more can be found in our research section
3. Get legal
There are many legal responsibilities involved in starting a tourism business. Here are just a few suggestions of what to consider and links to other sources of help and advice.
Planning, business rates and signage: Contact your local authority for advice about planning and building control regulations, business rates and the display of outdoor signage.
Food, Health and Safety: Your local Food, Health and Safety Department (within the Local Authority) can offer advice about your responsibilities with regard to health and safety and food safety regulations. The Food Standards Agency and Health & Safety Executive are also useful sources of information.
Business registration, employment status, VAT & minimum wage: HM Revenue & Customs offers practical advice about starting up in business, working for yourself and getting your VAT right. It also has information about the national minimum wage rates and criteria. Also Lamont Pridmore accountants have produced a guide to tax and accounting for new businesses download guide
Licences: There are a variety of licences you are required to obtain, depending upon the services you are planning to offer your guests. For example, if you plan to have TVs in your property you will need a Hotel and Mobile Units Television Licence. If you plan to play any copyright music or any live music you will need a Performing Right Society Licence, and you may need a Phonographic Performance Limited licence. If you plan to offer a selection of DVDs for your visitors you will need a DVD Concierge Licence. Subscribe to Accommodation Know How for more detailed information. This service is free to businesses with a VisitEngland quality inspection or can be accessed for a fee for non accredited businesses.
Other responsibilities: Unfortunately, the list doesn't end here! There are lots of other topics to consider including Smoking in Public Places, Data Protection issues and Holiday Packages. Business Link in a Box or Accommodation Know How are good places to start for more information.
4. Get quality assessed
It makes good business sense to have a quality grading with evidence showing that quality graded accommodation performs much better in terms of occupancy and profitability than non-graded. It also makes sense to develop your business with the needs of your prospective visitors in mind. The quality assessment criteria can point you in the right direction, whether you're aiming for family friendly or boutique style luxury at 3 or 5 stars. VisitBritain has also created some additional quality accolades to help you cater for specific markets, eg, cots, highchairs and changing facilities for young families, drying and boot rooms, secure bike storage and packed lunches for walkers and cyclists. find out more
Don't forget about making your business accessible to as many visitors as possible. You will also need to produce an Access Statement to achieve your quality grading. Have a conversation with Alyson Rhind, our Quality Assurance Adviser on 01539 825046 for more information on quality gradings.
5. Get a good deal - on professional services
Become a member of Cumbria Tourism to receive some great benefits and discounts with some of the top names in the professional services sector. Benefits inlcude preferential rates for banking and credit card payments, buildings and contents insurance, public liability insurance and access to a legal helpline. A full list of benefits is available in our membership section.
7. Get the right skills
Honestly assess your own skill levels and get some training, work experience and advice. Can you produce a well-presented, perfectly-cooked breakfast for several guests at once?
Attend some courses to boost your confidence and learn some tips from the experts. Some of the courses you might like to consider include customer service, food safety, first aid, practical cookery courses as well as ways to improve your marketing and business skills.
6. Get out there - promote your business
Would you like to discuss the best marketing options for your new venture? Cumbria Tourism has three dedicated members of staff that can come out on an advisory visit to talk you through the marketing opporunities we have available. contact one of our Industry Liaison Executives
8. Go green
Sustainability and environmental awareness is becoming more mainstream so start as you mean to go on. Get ahead of the game and develop your business with firm eco friendly credentials - it could save you money, give you a competitive edge and save the planet.
Our sustainability section can give you more information about what can be achieved and green accreditations to support your good work.
9. Other sources of help & useful links
Business Link Northwest offers free advice and mentoring on all aspects of setting up and running a business. Call 0845 0066888.
Cumbria Rural Enterprise Agency (CREA) (Eden & South Lakes) offers information packs and one to one counselling to discuss how to develop a business idea, and help identify any available grants. South Lakes - Tel: 01539 726624, Eden - Tel: 01768 891555
West Cumbria Development Agency (Allerdale & Copeland) Tel: 01900 65656
Furness Enterprise (Barrow and Ulverston) Tel: 01229 820611
