The Business Exchange Bath & Somerset Issue 5: Autumn 2017 | Page 5

BUSINESS NEWS Cover Story THE SKY’S THE LIMIT Novia Financial and Visit Bath have teamed up with Bath Balloons to launch a new luxury hot air balloon to fly the skies of Bath and its surrounds. Operated by Bath Balloons, the new ‘Novia Financial Visit Bath’craft (G-NFVB) made its inaugural flight as part of the Bristol International Balloon Fiesta on August 10 and was tethered outside the iconic Royal Crescent for an exclusive launch event for the local business community. The balloon will operate for the remainder of the 2017 flight season up to 2020. Bath Balloons have been flying from Royal Victoria Park since 1988 and work alongside Bristol Balloons as part of Ballooning Network Ltd. We met with Bill Vasilieff, chief executive of Novia Financial to find out more about the partnership. Are you a keen balloonist? I have been out in a balloon several times and have always very much enjoyed it. I was actually on the maiden flight of the Bath Building Society balloon and it was a fantastic experience. I often see balloons flying over my house in Bath. What influenced your decision to sponsor the balloon? At Novia we are always keen to support initiatives in Bath and I also think it is a really efficient way of getting our name seen across the city and locality. We have a very distinctive balloon and it has been great to see it over the skies of Bath. It has also been great to partner with Visit Bath and Bath Balloons on this new venture. What was it like launching the balloon for the first time? We were thrilled so many people turned out for the launch of NFVB (Novia Financial Visit Bath) including our new MP who has taken the risk of accepting an invitation to join us for a flight in the balloon! How did it feel to take part in Bristol Balloon Fiesta? The Fiesta is an internationally renowned event, in fact it was even broadcast on Russian television. A real highlight was the spectacular night glow which was a truly unique experience. We look forward to being part of it again next year. Bath Tourism Leslie Redwood, Head of Business Development and Partnerships at VisitBath talks high season and what’s going on in the city As we move through our busiest season of the year in terms of the hospitality and service sector, it is wise for us to pause and look back at the year so far across our service industries, retailers and professional service sectors both in the city and around B&NES. The key word that keeps coming across to us in the Visit Bath team, amongst our 500 members and 100 strategic partners, is “patchy “ across the region – people are expecting to be busy and to become quiet, and other times are expecting a quiet period and become unexpectedly busier. Overall – most sectors are reporting a year on a similar basis to last year, without much variance. Many reasons are reported for this – mostly around uncertainty and lack of confidence in predicting the future after some major unexpected political and financial changes. From our point of view “Keep calm and carry on” is the tried and tested simple mantra of advice that we can offer. Bath has weathered many ups and downs over the years and along with our nearly 6 million visitors a year, has remained robust and secure throughout all of this time. The team here at Visit Bath are doing all they can to invigorate and constantly re-energise how our city and regional offer is promoted across the region, nation and indeed the world. As we are all aware, there are some major investments coming into Bath that are changing our city markedly – from an increasing number of residents, right through to a new conference facility and also a n ew casino development. We also have some very interesting opportunities around the Rheumatic Hospital and also the amazing redevelopment of the North and South Quays as a new economic hub for the city – there are many reasons to be cheerful. At VisitBath there is plenty to be positive about – More marketing activity than ever before – an enhanced Christmas Market (23 November- 3 December) and events portfolio, a new, relocated Visitor Information Centre and offices and an increasing Membership and Partnership base- opening up more activity than seen before – with a new hot air balloon, “Polite Box” in Southgate and many, many new partners in our enhanced Great Bath Feast event (23 September- 8 October). There is plenty going on! For more info: www.visitbath.co.uk @VisitBath [email protected] THE BUSINESS EXCHANGE 2017 5