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 7 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.(see above)
* Be inspected by:
VisitBritain (B&B and S/C) - Tel 0845 3006996 - www.visitbritain.co.uk
AA (B&B only) - Tel 0870 6000371 - www.theaa.com* 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 its distribution e.g. To Tourist Information Centres & libraries nation-wide, Visit Britain Centre, British Tourist Authority to Europe, supermarkets, railway stations, motorway services, 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
* Participation in Quality in Tourism or the AA to obtain a nationally and internationally recognised quality assurance rating which in turn provides a quality guarantee to the customer
* Promotion through Devon Farms targeted marketing campaigns (adverts in magazines, newspapers, shopping centres, mail shots etc)
* Free 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 September - March, concentrating on customer care, marketing & quality awareness. regulatory issues.
* 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?
You can join Devon Farms at any time of the year (subject to meeting the joining criteria).
The Devon Farms colour brochure is produced in November each year. To be included in the next brochure you have to be a full member by mid May in the preceding year.
To have your property included on the Devon Farm's website and take advantage of the referral scheme and the other benefits that Devon Farms offers you can pay a ‘ New Members Fee' along with your first full membership fee
How much is it to join?
New Member's Fee during 2009/2010*
Flat fee £ 25*
* It is a condition of joining as a new member between June 2009 and May 2010 that you pay your full 2011 membership fee as well as your New Members Fee before your property can appear on the Devon Farms website
Full Membership Fee for 2010/2011
| First advert - up to six guests B&B | £235 B&B |
| or one self-catering unit | £235 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 | £210 |
| Extra Self-Catering unit/s | £25 per unit |
| Extra six B&B guests | £25 per six |
| Second advert i.e. those who offer both | |
| B&B & S/C (new & existing members) | £150 in addition to above |
Other attraction advert |
|
| Fishery/Horse riding/Livestock courses | £40 per advert |
Joining procedure
If you are interested in joining Devon Farms or have any questions please contact the Devon Farms New Members Secretary:
Lucy Hines – Tel 01392 841238 or email bussellsfarm@aol.com