what we do
who we work with
Product Development
We work with commercial businesses to identify and evaluate the potential to launch new products such as Tailormade EXPLORE! or Mahindra Homestays; and with the public and not-for-profit sector to create and trial new rural and urban schemes or diversify and expand existing projects.
Acorn advises on the development of resorts, tour operations, accommodation and conference centres as well as visitor and education centres, museums, destinations and rural activities. We deliver:
- Community engagement – stakeholder and community consultation is central to our research
- Feasibility studies – identification and assessment of target markets is always a key element of these studies
- Funding opportunities – once we have identified the community, environmental and economic benefits of a project, we can source the funding to deliver it
- Market positioning studies – understanding competitor offers, for a destination or a visitor attraction, is what we do best
- Options appraisals – the options are innovative, but always founded on the relevant visitor market
- Project management – our independence allows us to put together the right team
- Rural regeneration – our passion, enhanced by where we work
- Training and skills development – we want to pass on our expertise, so clients take their own projects forward
- Workshop facilitation – our impartial but structured direction allows all views to be heard and decisions made
"We are launching "Tailor Made Explore" and have recruited a manager to develop the new division. He has used Acorn’s market report a lot, your main recommendation (if you're going to do it, do it well!) has been totally taken on board."
Peter Crane, Explore Worldwide
Case Studies
Chedham’s Yard Options Appraisal, Wellesbourne Parish Council, Warwickshire
Acorn’s development options for Bill Chedham’s traditional wheelwright workshop helped Chedham's Yard win funding from the BBC's Restoration Village 2006
Country Break Itineraries, Rural Ways, Tourism South East
Acorn developed the initial nine Country Break itineraries for the Rural Ways website. The itineraries encourage visitors to walk, cycle and ride in the South East and develop rural tourism in the region by showing visitors where to eat, drink, sleep and buy local products.
Tourism de la Memoire, Comite Regional du Tourisme, Nord-Pas de Calais
We assessed 23 World War I and II sites in Northern France, some of which are well-known, but most are relatively unknown. The strengths and weaknesses of each were identified, and recommendations made to improve visitor numbers from the French and British markets.