Thinking of Joining DEVON FARMS accommodation?

What is Devon Farms?

The Devon Farms Accommodation Group is a co-operative of working family farms providing Bed & Breakfast and Self Catering accommodation and located all over Devon . It encompasses all sizes and types of farming enterprises and is run by its members through an elected committee.

Devon Farms 8 local groups are as follows:

 

Farms are automatically eligible to join Devon Farms after joining the local farm holiday group operating in their area. Once Devon Farms members they can benefit from specialist support, training, a county wide referral scheme, brochure and web marketing and a voice when lobbying on tourism matters at county and regional level.

All the members' farms have a very high standard of quality accommodation ensured by an annual inspection by Quality in Tourism or the AA; nationally recognised independent inspection organisations.

Who can participate?

Membership criteria;

* The member must be a member of one of Devon Farms recognised local farm holiday groups.

* Be inspected by either Quality in Tourism or the AA

* Operate B&B and/or S/C accommodation on a farm with a source of income from agriculture.

 

What are the benefits of joining Devon Farms?

 * Promotion in the Devon Farms brochure (Print run 50,000) and benefit from it's distribution e.g. To Tourist Information Centres & libraries nation-wide, Visit Britain Centre, British Tourist Authority to Europe , via other members etc.

* Promotion on the www.devonfarms.co.uk website (which has high rankings on the major search engines) with interactive map and free links to your e-mail and website.

* The opportunity to obtain business from the Devon Farms referral scheme and refer business on to Devon Farms members

* The opportunity to use the Devon Farms Credit Card facility

* The opportunity to benefit from the Devon Farms Booking Service

* The friendship and support of fellow farming families - business referral's, exchange of experiences, ideas and best practice

* Participate in Quality in Tourism or the AA to obtain a nationally and internationally recognised quality assurance rating which intern provides a quality guarantee to the customer

* Promotion through Devon Farms targeted marketing campaigns (adverts in magazines, newspapers, shopping centres, mail shots etc)

* Devon Farms newsletter , providing you with business updates

* Free sign to promote your membership

* Free use of Devon Farms logo to use on letterheads & other stationary

* Opportunity to participate in training courses organised by Devon Farms during the months September - March, concentrating on customer care, marketing & quality awareness

* The opportunity to participate with journalist visits and other PR opportunities

* The opportunity to purchase Devon Farms promotional materials (exclusive to Devon Farms) to use in your business

* The chance to influence tourism policy at county and regional level

 

When can I join?

The deadline for the following year's full annual subscription is the end of May, this includes all the benefits mentioned above. However, after this date Devon Farms can offer a new members scheme, prior to full membership , which enables you to obtain bookings via the referral scheme and promotion on the www.devonfarms.co.uk website, if you have missed the annual cut off date for joining and having a presence in the printed brochure.

 

How much is it to join?

Devon Farms Membership 2007

First advert - up to six guests B&B £ 225 B & B
or one self-catering unit £ 225 S/C

OR If you have one unit with three or less
bed spaces or a B&B with four or less
bed spaces - membership is £ 205

Extra Self-Catering unit/s £ 23 per unit

Extra six B&B guests £ 23 per six

Second advert i.e. those who offer both B&B & S/C £ 142

Restaurant/Cream Tea/Tea Room/ Farm ShopAttraction advert (new & existing members) £ 37

 

How much is it to join the new members scheme having missed the annual joining date and prior to full membership?

Having missed the dead line for a presence in the printed brochure but still obtain bookings via the referral scheme and promotion on the www.devonfarms.co.uk website costs;

 

First advert - up to six guests B&B £ 175 B & B
or one self-catering unit £ 175 S/C

plus:

Extra Self-Catering unit/s £ 23 per unit
Extra six B&B guests £ 23 per six B&B guests

Joining procedure

Having read the information above, ask yourself:

* Do you provide B&B and/or Self-catering accommodation on a farm with a source of income from agriculture?

* Are you currently inspected by either of the National Quality Assurance Schemes (NQAS): Quality in Tourism or the AA? (To obtain more information on any of these organizations please contact

Quality in Tourism (Grades B&B and S/C) Tel; 0845 3006996 www.qualityintourism.com

SW Tourism - (Quality & Tourism grades B&B and S/C & sends info. on their membership benefits) Tel; 01392 360050 www.swtourism.co.uk

AA (Grades B&B only) Tel; 0870 6000371 www.theaa.com)

* Are you a member of the local farm holiday group recognized by Devon Farms?

 

If you are interested in joining Devon Farms please contact the Devon Farms New Members Secretary, Jackie Payne, with your address and telephone number to find out who your local group is;

e-mail jackie@huxtablefarm.co.uk Telephone 01598 760254