The Valleys Campaign
First published in 2013 elsewhere and published again here as this is relevant to my FOI request and current disagreement with Visit Wales regarding the promotion of some and not others. I’ve added the relevant FOI revealed Welsh Government comments and highlighted the most important.
From 2013 - The Valleys Campaign - FOI request data
Discussions regarding the Valleys campaign, for which there was a positive result. Although the way that staff in the Welsh Government view complainants, even with valid points that they take on board, is clear… It is apparent in the email comments from within the Welsh Government that a complainant is seen as an adversary and is ‘taken off Welsh Government websites’, despite those same Welsh Government departments agreeing with the complaint and making changes accordingly…
The Valleys campaign was a website and a ‘closed’ app, meaning it was not able to be amended, apparently, that named the fifty best attractions in the Valleys. This app listed one activity provider over an above all others, something we’ve seen many times before.
2012 - There are issues with this provider
2012 - He’s posted on his blog about a campaign we funded - Wales in Style - and it’s proving contentious
2013 - Andy Lamb is querying another issue with us so it is vital that he’s taken off our websites
2013 - There is an issue we need to get to the bottom, can I agree a meeting with Mr Lamb
2013 - Mr Lamb is trying to find out who is responsible so it would be beneficial to resolve ourselves before he starts making more fuss and involving politicians
2013 - the more info we provide the more queries will come back
Result - My campaigning resulted in the removal of activity provider preferences and the promotions for individual activity providers. You see, it’s worth complaining although it likely damages relationships with those who hold the power in tourism in Wales. But ethically it is the right thing to do.
Blog post from 2013
UPDATE - Things have been moving along rather quickly and so after writing this blog and threatening court action there was an immediate response - 'The Valleys' have removed the preferences for and promotions of individual adventure activity companies and have deleted several pages from the freshly uploaded new website. RESULT! But now I have asked for the same to be removed from the smart phone application and for some explanation as to how one company gained such universal coverage, over and above all other companies, across a publicly funded and managed tourism campaign... I'll keep you posted...
This is a copy of my email to 'The Valleys' campaign... I’d link to it but the link no longer works, the campaign seems to be dead.
The new site is looking better but despite my threat of court action the Call of the Wild endorsement is still there and is now in several places. Furthermore, other providers are given endorsements too. I don't know who wrote or signed off the wording for the site but perhaps you would like to let me know? I am now seven days away from beginning court action against 'The Valleys' campaign. You guys have had long enough to take on board criticism and to get things right. You simply cannot use public money to promote one adventure activity provider over and above others.
Please remove all individual company endorsements and links to within the 'magazine articles' and 'top tens' and anywhere else they may be found. This should be done by end of play on Friday 14th December and please let me know that this is in hand by Wednesday 12th December.
I am outraged by the blatant pursuing of a 'favoured business ethic' within The Valleys campaign but this is of no surprise to me as this has been something that has been noted as being endemic within all authority driven tourism campaigns. What makes this campaign worse than others is that I have been asked to be patient and wait for the new site to be uploaded as I had been told that the new site would be different and the promotion of, for example, Call of the Wild, would not be present.
A short perusal of the site and I find Call of the Wild highlighted on the following pages - I am sure there are more…
The best wet weekend
My valleys top ten
48 hours west
Please now take this seriously as I don't want to have to start court action but if my hand is forced I will be pursuing The Valleys campaign for considerable damages based on loss of income over the period of the campaign.
