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Welcome to the Exmoor Tourism Update. This is produced bi-monthly by Exmoor National Park to keep tourism providers updated with the latest news to support the development of sustainable tourism on Exmoor.
Dan James
Sustainable Economy Manager
@DanJamesENPA on Twitter
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Exmoor Tourism Conference
3 March - Book now!
Booking is now open for the annual
Exmoor Tourism Conference which this year will also incorporate the
Exmoor Exchange.
The
conference starts at 11.15am at the Beach Hotel in Minehead and will cover a range of important and exciting topics including:
- Reviews and updates of the work of Exmoor Tourism to promote Exmoor including Greentraveller who will outline PR and marketing plans for the year and Elke Winzer, newly appointed Development Manager will share thoughts on
- Details of new and exciting ventures such as the Watchet Boat Museum, Lynton to Barnstaple Railway extension and the Steam Coast Trail.
- Insights into a range of successful Exmoor businesses such as the West Somerset Railway and its 40th anniversary plans, the award-wining Cross Lane House, and South west Lakes Trust who've retained their Gold Green Tourism business Scheme award at Wimbleball.
- Partner updates from the National Park, Hinkley Tourism Partnership and Visit Somerset
Alongside all of this will be the Exmoor Exchange with a range of trade stands (over 25 booked to date!) to share information, gather literature and network. The Exmoor Tourism AGM will take place prior to the conference for members at 10.30am. there are vacancies on the Executive Committee with information on the roles here if anyone wishes to stand for nomination and help guide the work of Exmoor Tourism as it develops and progresses. ADVANCED BOOKING IS ESSENTIAL Admission to the conference and exchange is £15 for Exmoor Tourism members, or £25 for non-members including refreshments and a buffet lunch - book online below. A limited number of stands are available at a cost of £25 (plus a reduced fee of £10 for the conference / lunch for stand holders) - email [email protected].
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The History of Tourism is the focus of the Lynmouth Pavilion Project's third year and a key theme running through the whole year will be the collection of memories of Holidays Past on Exmoor.
An astonishing 85% of visitors to Exmoor have been returning year after year and recently a member of the Project team was talking to a visitor who has been visiting Exmoor for 30 years, making 2 trips every year! And honeymooners flocked here during the 1950s, some returning every year to celebrate their anniversaries. One such couple are about to enjoy their 62nd annual visit to Lynton.
Abbie and Louise, who are managing the Project, are now appealing for accommodation providers who have visitors that return year after year, local residents who were once visitors themselves or anyone that has been coming here for a long time to share their special memories from past holidays to Exmoor. Special 'Holidays Past" packs are available which contain a book for writing down your memories. For more information on getting involved please get in touch with Louise or Abbie: Phone 01598 751065, email
[email protected] or drop in to the Lynmouth Pavilion.
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CareMoor for Exmoor
CareMoor for Exmoor®, the Authority's donation scheme,
raises money for conservation and access work across Exmoor that might otherwise not get done. Money raised through CareMoor is allocated to hedgerows, rights of way, and special projects (a focus for 2016 is conservation and restoration of Ashcombe Gardens, Simonsbath).
CareMoor works through our supporter network of businesses or event organisers. If you are not already a supporter why not get in touch to fin
d out how you can help fund-raise for Exmoor? We will be rolling out our new branding throughout 2016 so if you are an existing supporter, but haven't yet received a new collection box or literature get in touch about this or other offers, such as opt-in/out fees, as well as other ways to raise donations for Exmoor.
Further information is available our website, and anyone interested in finding out more can contact Philip Kiberd, Funding Officer on 01398 322237. Philip will be on the ENPA stand at the Exmoor Exchange also.
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Food, flowers and walking!
The Exmoor Food Fest, run by Exmoor4All, is back this month offering visitors the opportunity to enjoy 2 courses for £10, or 3 for £15 at participating businesses, helping to raise the profile of the area at an otherwise quiet time of year. Visit the
website for full details, to download a voucher or to join the scheme yourselves.
The snowdrops are out in force for
Snowdrop Valley, which is now open for walkers until 28th February, with park and ride buses operating from Saturday 6th until 21st February. This popular attraction help to bring in visitors in the shoulder seasons and has already generated significant press coverage for the area including several features in national publications and TV.
Booking has now opened for the 20th anniversary
Exmoor Walking Festival with 29 guided walks on offer from the 30 April to 7 May across the Greater Exmoor area.
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The new edition of Exmoor is out now featuring the ever popular Exmoor events calendar alongside information and tips to enhance the experience for visitors to the area.
Those businesses / organisations wishing to have copies for distribution can pick up small quantities from National Park Centres during opening hours or are invited to pick up bundles at the Exmoor Exchange (see above).
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Exmoor Marketing
We are pleased to report that Greentraveller have been appointed to provide creative marketing, social media ad PR services to help promote Exmoor over the next 12 months.
Greentraveller have a wealth of experience in promoting rural tourism throughout the UK, Europe and beyond and have previously published the Grentraveller guide to Exmoor National Park, as well as working on the Great Escapes campaign which was successfully run last year promoting both Exmoor and Somerset.
The work will help to deliver Exmoor Tourism's agreed marketing strategy, focusing on reaching key target audiences to attract higher value staying visitors to visit during the shoulder seasons.
Activities will include blogger trips, online marketing, traditional PR work, press familiarisation trips, contributing to the Visit Exmoor blog, and a significant increase in social media activity.
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Two Moors Way
Two years ago we were involved in a project to extend and re-launch the Coleridge Way which has been widely acclaimed a success in securing additional press coverage and renewed interest amongst local providers, with many reporting on increased usage. Following on from this, and celebrating its 40th Anniversary, we're now working with partners on a similar project to reinvigorate the Two Moors Way.
Spanning over 100 miles from Ivybridge to Lynmouth this continues to be one of the most popular long distant trails in the South West after the Coast Path and the project hopes to ensure this continues for the next 40 years.
The project involves trail management works to enhance the route and improve signage alongside development of a new website and promotional leaflet, being developed by the re-formed Two Moors Way Association. Initial funding has been secured from Dartmoor and Exmoor National Park Authorities , alongside a donation from the Two Moors Way Association, and initial work is being completed throughout the spring prior to anniversary celebrations in early June - watch this space for more details.
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New appointments support Exmoor Tourism
Elke Winzer has been appointed as the new Development Manager for Exmoor Tourism, working part time to help build the capacity of the organisation, recruit new members and raise the profile of tourism in the area. She is supported by
Theresa Lovering as Administrator. Find out more about Exmoor Tourism at
www.visit-exmoor.co.uk/trade.
Within the National Park Authority
Sue WIndley, a chartered marketer, has joined the team to help develop social media and corporate marketing, in addition to supporting the work of Exmoor Tourism and partner organisations in promoting the area. You can follow Sue on Twitter at
www.twitter.com/SueWindleyENPA
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South West Tourism Growth Fund
Exmoor National Park has continudo work cloely with local partners such as West Somerset Council and Exmoor Tourism, alongside other destinations in the South West as part of the South West Tourism Growth fund.
In particular we have sought to ensure Exmoor is included in the various work strands and have had literature distributed at major travel shows in the UK and Europe.
In addition to the marketing work the fund is supporting product development work. Those businesses interested in international markets are invited to take part in the following events:
SHOWCASE SOUTH WEST
Tuesday 23 February - The Riviera International Centre, Torquay. This event is an opportunity for tourism suppliers to attend for one to one pre-scheduled appointments with international buyers. Suppliers will pay £99 per person including VAT and booking fee. We would encourage only one representative from one organisation to book. . For more details see the Showcase South West promotional flyer.
WELCOMING OVERSEAS VISITORS
Heavily subsidised course through Purple Cloud designed to equip businesses to offer an outstanding welcome to overseas visitors. The nearest location is Exeter on the 2 March, with the cost just £15 + VAT instead of the usual cost of £95 + VAT. For more details, other dates and locations click
here.
TRAVEL TRADE BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT WORKSHOPS
These workshops are an opportunity for suppliers to gain a better understanding of the international travel trade market in order to attract more visitors. Suppliers will pay £25 per person including VAT and booking fee. We are aiming to encourage one senior representative from one organisation to book. For more details please see the Travel Trade Business Development promotional flyer. Please note that suppliers can book on whichever event they wish irrespective of their geographic location.
Exmoor is one of a number of destinations working with VisitEngland on this programme of activity to promote South West England overseas. This activity is supported by VisitBritain, and brings together partner destinations from across the region. The £5m South West Tourism Growth Fund is a central government funded programme of activity, supported by match funding by partners in the public and private sectors.
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