Exmoor Tourism Update

Read the latest news and updates for tourism providers in Exmoor National Park

Keeping tourism businesses up to date with the work of Exmoor National Park

Welcome to the Exmoor National Park Tourism Update. This is published every two months to keep tourism providers up to date with the latest news, resources and information in support of developing sustainable tourism on Exmoor.

Don't forget to check our website for useful information from the latest research to business toolkits Here

Exmoor Dark Skies Festival

19-29 October 2017

**Printed Programme & On-line Booking now available**

24-page Festival Programme
available for your collection from National Park Centres from 1st August
On-line booking facility now open
via our website (Early bird discount of 10% available for ENPA events booked before 15th September using code EARLYBIRD)
Events
include pop-up planetarium sessions, astro party, informative and engaging astronomy and astro-photography talks with stargazing, night walks and numerous outdoor adventures
Publicity
The level of both media and public interest has already been high so we hope the festival will help boost tourism during October.
Social media
Posts will also start during August - please do help us spread the word using #Exmoor DSF

Further details, booking and updated information is available at our website

www.exmoor-nationalpark.gov.uk/darkskiesfestival

For any business related enquiry please contact Katrina Munro (Economy Project Officer) who is coordinating the event: [email protected] or call 01398 322236

Calling all Local Producers & Local Produce Users! - 'Eat Exmoor'

Exmoor National Park and Visit Exmoor are putting together some initiatives designed to promote the local food message. '#EatExmoor' is a comprehensive marketing project aimed at encouraging more visitors to come to the area to enjoy Exmoor's unique and tasty produce and the landscape it comes from. Read the press release Here

We would welcome your support with:

a) Local Producers Database - We are compiling an up-to-date database of local producers which will soon be made available to businesses looking to source local produce to use or sell to customers. Check your business is listed - email Katrina at [email protected] or call 01398 322236.

b) Local Producers Event - In early 2018, ENPA will be hosting an event designed for local producers to meet face-to-face with hospitality providers and retailers to network, showcase and collaborate. If you are a local producer and would be interested in finding out more please contact Katrina.

c) CareMoor for Exmoor Dining Club - do you want to host an event or tell your local produce story? See below or read more Here

d) New 'Eat Exmoor' website section

A new section for foodies will be added to the official tourism website www.visit-exmoor.co.uk Join Visit Exmoor now for a special offer of just £60 per year which also includes social media support, marketing and more. Contact Jennette on 07956 829633 or [email protected]

Exmoor Visitor 2017 - re-stock now for Summer

All our National Park Centres have been supplied extra stock of the free Exmoor Visitor 2017 newspapers to enable you to restock to meet the needs of all your guests and customers this season.

Don't forget as well as the Exmoor visitor we also have a range of pocket guides ranging from a general introduction to Exmoor to its wildlife, woodlands and seashores.

Become a CareMoor Park Partner

CareMoor for Exmoor is the National Park's visitor gifting scheme encouraging all those who enjoy Exmoor to support additional nature, access and heritage projects.

A new website is available to introduce CareMoor to both you as a business and visitors to the area / your business - www.exmoor-nationalpark.gov.uk/CareMoor).

As previously reported we've brought together our Park Partner scheme with CareMoor. The award of CareMoor Park Partner will be bestowed on those businesses who put the Park at the heart of everything they do and also actively promote the CareMoor scheme. There are great business benefits available to CareMoor Park Partners. And remember we're looking for you to help connect your customers with CareMoor and not necessarily to donate your hard earned takings yourself.

To find out more about becoming a CareMoor for Exmoor supporter or a CareMoor Park Partner and its benefits, please click here or contact Philip Kiberd on 01398 323665 [email protected]

England Coast Path - proposals published by Natural England for Exmoor coast

The proposals recommend significant improvements to over 7 miles of the existing South West Coast Path, bringing it closer to the sea in particular places and enabling it to 'roll back' if erosion or landslips occur in the future, using a simpler and more cost-effective process. If approved, this will resolve the difficulties with maintaining a continuous walking route along an eroding coastline.

If approved, this route will become part of the England Coast Path - the 2700 mile long distance walking route and England's newest National Trail currently being developed around the entire English coast by Natural England.

There is now a period for legal interests and members of the public to make objections or representations by the 15 August that the Secretary of State must take into account when considering whether to approve the proposals. For full details read the press release here.

Exmoor Awareness - Training sessions for Tourism Businesses

The National Park Authority is developing a brand new training course to replace and build upon its popular Exmoor Awareness days.

The new course will have 3 days in total, spread over a period of time and you can do whichever day(s) most relevant to your needs. The first day is designed to introduce businesses to the National Park and its special qualities, whilst with the second day we aim to help improve your business skills and increase your confidence, knowledge and understanding of the National Park, and equip you to benefit from your association with the National Park. In each spring we will offer an update day suitable for all businesses to learn about the latest initiatives and goings on within Exmoor.

With a carefully designed programme of both business training and input from the National Park Conservation Team and Rangers, we'll ensure that your valuable time is well spent. Educational input will be underpinned with sound business advice and practical support on subjects such as experiential marketing and understanding what makes your business attractive to customers.

The first course days will be on 7th and 14th November at the Dunster National Park Centre. On-line booking will be available later this summer but you can reserve a space now by emailing Katrina Munro [email protected]

** New ** CareMoor for Exmoor Dining Club

The CareMoor Dining Club will be series of monthly dining lunch or evening events at a variety of venues. Each event will have one speaker and the theme and menu will celebrate Exmoor produce. The events will be promoted as a fixed price menu to include a donation to CareMoor.

The aim of the Dining Club project is to:

Promote the local food message
Promote business for dining venues
Raise awareness and funds for CareMoor

You can find more details of the Dining Club Here. Contact Katrina if you're interested in hosting a CareMoor Dining Club lunch or evening later this year or in 2018. [email protected]