Joining SECTA
About SECTA
First and foremost, SECTA represents a network of businesses with similar aims
that can share experiences, pool resources and gain a voice in the wider
tourism industry of the UK.
All members have the opportunity to:
- network with other members at monthly
meetings
- promote their services to fellow members
- keep up to date with developments in
the industry at both local and national level
- receive support and advice from officers
and other members.
Who does SECTA represent?
SECTA currently represents over 100 businesses throughout South East Cornwall,
including accommodation and service providers, restaurants, attractions,
and those in associated trades. Our associate members include retired businesspeople
who wish to maintain contact with the industry and who can offer invaluable
knowledge and experience, as well as a number of regional and national
organisations.
Member Services & Benefits
Since its establishment, SECTA has grown
steadily in strength, profile and influence, and now brings tangible
benefits to its members through partnership, promotion and services.
SECTA has a voice which is respected throughout the tourism industry,
and it takes a proactive stand in representing the interests of its
members. Services to members include:
Advice and Information
Information is circulated to members at our General Meetings and
via the monthly Newsletter. An equally important benefit is the opportunity
to network with colleagues at General Meetings, where issues of common
interest can be discussed. In addition, your Committee members are
available for advice on any tourism-related issues; they may not know
the answer themselves, but there is a good chance, with many years
of experience in the Industry between them, and with contacts in many
other organisations, that they will know where to go for help.
Members’ Meetings
The Association generally meets on the last Thursday of each month at 2pm,
usually at the Hannafore Point Hotel, Marine Drive, West Looe. Meetings are
held from September to May inclusive, and speakers are invited to make presentations
on a wide range of subjects of interest to members. Our AGM is held on the
last Thursday in January.
These meetings provide an invaluable opportunity for members to exchange
information and debate issues of common interest. Details of forthcoming
meetings are published monthly in SECTA News.
Newsletter
SECTA maintains contact with members via its monthly newsletter, SECTA News.
Topics covered regularly include local, regional and national tourism updates,
computing tips and website news, employment law updates and information about
forthcoming events in the area. Members can opt to receive the Newsletter
by post, or to vieew and download it from this Website here.
SECTA Visitors’ Web Site
SECTA has its own visitors’ web site, www.secta.org.uk ,
which aims to attract visitors to South East Cornwall and introduce them
to members’ services. The web site achieves very high search engine rankings;
one of the key benefits enjoyed by members is an automatic free entry on
the web site consisting of their current business contact details. Sections
include accommodation, attractions and activities. Offering excellent value
for money, an enhanced entry on the web site, consisting of up to 150 additional
words plus two colour photographs and email and website links, is available
for only £20. Accommodation providers may also take advantage of the Late
Availablity service, which indicates next to their Web site entry that they
have accommodation available during the current week.
Accommodation Inspection
For the benefit of visitors and members alike, SECTA aims to maintain quality
standards among its accommodation providers, using as a bench¬mark the minimum
standards which were required by the CTB. To this end, SECTA requires, as
a condition of membership, that members providing accommodation pass an inspection.
If a member has not already passed inspection by any other organisation,
such as the AA, RAC, South West Tourism (SWT) or any other body inspecting
under the National Quality Assurance Scheme (NQAS), then they may join the
SECTA inspection scheme. SECTA employs an Inspector, and a small charge per
inspection is levied to cover the cost of the programme.
Green Acorn Award
SECTA, in partnership with Caradon District Council, introduced the SECTA
Green Acorn Award Scheme, a voluntary ‘green tourism’ Award scheme specifically
for members. The project gives recognition to those who want to do more to
reduce the impact of their businesses, and that of their guests, on the environment.
Details of the scheme can be found here.
Caradon in Bloom
The work put in by members in their gardens and floral displays at their
business premises is of great importance. In recognition of this, SECTA organises
and operates the annual Caradon in Bloom Awards Competition, which is open
to all members whatever the size of their business. Eight categories of award
and several special judges’ awards are given every year. Awards are also
given for the best town, small village and large village, as well as for
the best commercial property in the five towns of Caradon: Looe, Liskeard,
Callington, Saltash and Torpoint. These awards are given in recognition of
the enhancement by floral displays to the local community and the tourism
industry. Members wishing to participate should watch out for the entry form
in SECTA News early each summer.
SECTA Tourism and Hospitality Show
The Show has gone from strength to strength under the organisation of Paul
Higgins and a small working party from the SECTA Committee. Held annually
in February at Looe Bay Holiday Park, it is SECTA’s showcase event, attracting
a wide range of exhibitors and visitors.
For further details click here.
Joining SECTA
Enquiries about joining SECTA can
be made to either the Membership Secretary or
the Chairman.
SECTA aims to ensure that new members are
mentored, if they so wish, by existing members in a similar business
or area. This mentoring takes the form of providing an initial point
of contact for new members, encouraging them to take part in the networking
opportunities that SECTA provides, and answering any questions that a
new member may have. |
