Over the counter enquiries at the Tourist Information Centre fell from 82,000 in 2015 to just 16,500 in 2023.
“The Visit Windsor website, www.windsor.gov.uk, our 24/7 digital tourist information centre, is now by far the main way visitors both in the UK and abroad choose to find out and explore information, book tickets and make enquiries.
“Only 6% of all sales made through the TIC were made in person, over 90% were purchased online or via the VisitWindsor Hotel Concierge Service.
“In light of this ongoing trend and the withdrawal of funding in the budget of February 2023, it was clear that the service needed to adapt. Accordingly, the 2024/25 budget process proposed a transformation of the way tourist information is offered to visitors. One element of this was the cessation of the information desk within the museum, from 30 June 2024.
“The new offer ensures that visitors will receive a warm welcome to Windsor as we are maintaining or building upon other parts of the information service with our partners.
“At Windsor & Eton Central Station, we are maintaining our six digital screens, poster display, the Visit Windsor Town Map & Guide to Visitor Attractions, other local maps, and leaflets for local attractions and events.
“Our Ceremonial Wardens and Royal Borough Ambassadors, a lasting legacy from the 2012 Olympic Games, continue to do a great job of meeting, greeting and signposting visitors arriving in Windsor.
“We are working closely with the Eton Information Centre to support the wider tourism offering and to help extend visitor stays and benefit the local economy. Their shop front is just over the Windsor Eton bridge and near both stations and the coach park.
“In the coming weeks, we will launch further physical information points at key gateway and central locations around town, and work with partners to provide ticket sale points at locations including the Windsor Library, the Eton Information Centre, The Old Court and Indelibly Windsor. And we would urge business owners who would like to be a part of the information network to get in touch by emailing us at visitwindsor@rbwm.gov.uk.”
Councillor Simon Werner, Leader of the Council, said “We have a modern plan to welcome the hundreds of thousands of visitors each year to Windsor, and these steps will really help to support visitors making the most of their visits and want to come back for more.”
Councillor Amy Tisi, Lead member for Windsor, said “Whilst financial pressures and the aftereffects of the pandemic have accelerated the pace of change, this presents an opportunity to embrace our new tourism strategy and look at the way tourist and visitor information is made available. Already, partnership working is opening up new opportunities, and I am excited about working with our hotel partners and local businesses to provide a more joined up approach to tourist information.”