Here is part of the proposed plan that we scribbled down to win the project.... There is more... A lot more but I won't post it I promise..
General ProposalThe proposal for us (Clive Muir and Sue Eatock) to take over the running of the information centre in Grazalema is born from our desire to expand our already existing promotional web based services to tourism in Iberia/Grazalema and our concern that visitors to Grazalema are not at the moment receiving the very best information and help in order to make their stay both enjoyable and productive… The Sierra de Grazalema is one of the oldest designated natural park areas in Spain and the village of Grazalema, being at its geographic centre, needs an information resource for the huge number of visitors that (more often than not) head for Grazalema first and foremost when entering the park area… It is logical after all, that Grazalema would have with the most information available as it is the namesake of the very parkland, the Sierra de Grazalema. The very best form of advertising is “word of mouth”. A visitor who is well informed will enjoy his visit more and very possibly return for future visits. This person will also share his good experiences with fellow travellers via trip reports, travel websites, personal weblogs and conversations with other people. The power of these actions as an advertising medium is huge (especially now with the internet) so it is important that a visitor leaves the area with positive thoughts on the quality of his stay. The information centre that we maintain will provide items needed for all types of visitors interested in the natural world, gastronomy, culture and activities available in the area.
Benefits for Grazalema The benefits for Grazalema itself are numerous and as we have looked at this project from a different angle (as accomplished travellers rather than locals) we see that we can provide a lot of subsidiary services to the area as a by product of us maintaining the information centre. Rather the information centre will be a base where we can help Grazalema move forward with a sustainable model of tourism that includes catering to visitors of all nationalities especially the most common visitors from outside Spain (UK, Germany, France, Netherlands)
Some benefits that we can supply directly from the outset are listed below and this list can of course be expanded at any time as our project evolves.
1. Permanent employment of 2 local individuals (These staff members will also receive informal basic English lessons from us and also the possibility of taking distance courses in various subjects related to travel, tourism and wildlife
2. A high quality service for visitors to the village of Grazalema with at the very beginning multi lingual support (Spanish, English and German). The reputation of Grazalema as a centre for tourism information will grow as our high level of service becomes known.
3. Provide a location platform for exhibitions relating to the area. These would include offering local artists and photography clubs to display their work for viewing and sale. Also travelling exhibitions such as the photographic competition winners and special exhibitions run by the natural park authorities etc.
4. The promotion of the information centre, Grazalema and the area as a whole through our networks of existing websites and also the creation of a dedicated website for the information centre that will easily become the top of search result in major search engines due to our expertise in this field.
5. The information centre will be open every day from 10 am to 5 pm without closing for lunch. (Holidays such as tres reyes and new years day we need to look at but possibly the information centre would be closed for these days).
6. The information centre will provide a platform for local businesses to advertise their services and products
7. The information centre will provide a platform and display area for local artisan craft workers to display and sell their products
Products and ServicesGiven that Grazalema and its natural park area has the reputation for providing some of the best wildlife and nature orientated activities in Europe it is only natural that this will make up a large part of the services and products offered… It is a fact that visitors to Grazalema are very often seeking help with entering restricted areas of the natural park. At this point the process is difficult and confusing for non Spanish speakers. Emphasis also needs to be made on gastronomy, culture and history of the area..
Below is a list of services to be offered by the information centre many of which will provide a much needed revenue for continued operation. This list is not exclusive and more services can be added and implemented as and when needed.
1. At the very beginning of us taking over running of the information centre we will create a connection via phone and fax with the visitor centre in El Bosque in order to help visitors arrange and receive the permit to enter restricted areas of the natural park… (We understand that there is a plan in process by the park authorities to implement an internet based system but whilst this is not in operation we still need to aid people as much as possible. The feedback we get from our website
www.grazalemaguide.com is that very often people do not see some of the more interesting parts of the natural park as getting the permits are too problematic. This booking service for walking permits will be charged at 1 Euro per booking in order to cover phone and fax costs.
2. A large selection of books for sale covering various subjects of the area. Guide books for walking, ornithology, botany and other wildlife. Books on history, culture and general subjects of the area… There is a huge array of excellent publications available in various languages that are available and we intend to stock as many as is possible. Sales will be made directly to the information centre visitors and also through mail order via the centre’s dedicated website.
3. A large selection of maps and guides covering Grazalema, and western Andalucia in general. Some of these will be for sale and others will be free information leaflets produced by the natural park authorities and other entities.
4. Production, printing and sales of our own wildlife images in print and postcard format
5. Production, printing and sales of our brief guides for the area in English, Spanish, German and French
6. Sample stands promoting and selling local artisan products such as basket weaving, pottery, blankets, soaps etc… Emphasis will always be on locally produced items (Commission on sales to be arranged directly with the producer).
7 A translation service with very competitive prices from Spanish to any language required. This service is ideal for local businesses and indeed the local council. The importance of properly translated information from things as basic as restaurant menus to in depth information boards and leaflets and also business websites should not be underestimated. Just a quick look around Grazalema on any day of the week will see visitors from all over Europe and indeed the world. They need information in their language to enhance the quality of their visit..
9. Information boards with adverts from local businesses such as restaurants, shops and hotels. Visitors to the information centre will be directed to the boards when they ask information about products, places to eat or places to sleep. The companies involved will pay a small fixed yearly amount to the information centre in order to display their service… This makes us (the visitor centre) function without bias to individual companies as the advertising boards will be open to all…
9. A cycle hire concession in partnership with a local company. This can be increased to guided cycling in both road and mountain biking. (Commission to be arranged directly with the company)
10. Public toilets to the left and right of the information centre will be maintained at all times, kept clean and stocked with the necessary products (for the running). We have an idea that these toilets would be open and free to use during the information centre office hours but be fitted with a coin operated lock that can be activated out of office hours… A small cost of 20 cents would help to recover some costs. (This is only an idea and has not been discussed yet with the relevant authorities).
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