Exmoor Tourism Update - September 2018

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 2018 - Full programme now available

The free Festival Programme is now available online or in hard copy at our National Park Centres. There are over 40 events being run by the National Park and partner organisations/businesses from 20th October to 4th November.

Full event details can be found at www.exmoor-nationalpark.gov.uk/darkskiesfestival. Early booking is advised as last year most events sold out!

You might like to add the above link to your website or download this poster. Use the hastag #ExmoorDSF on social media to join the conversation.

FREE DARK SKIES TRAINING for TOURISM BUSINESSES - 18th September

In order to increase your own knowledge about stargazing and increase your confidence in using Exmoor's dark skies to help you promote your business, you may like to attend a free workshop being presented for us by astronomer Seb Jay.

The hour-long session will start at 3.30 pm at Lynmouth National Park Centre on Tuesday 18th September.

Contact Katrina 01398 322236 or [email protected] to book your FREE space.

Free tourism training workshops open to all

Two autumn workshops are planned for any tourism business who would like to learn more about how to work with the travel trade, and how to deliver memorable experiences.

We are working with other English National Parks in planning unique, immersive visitor experiences which stand out in the global marketplace and tell the story of our landscapes, history and culture. We are already working with businesses who were successful in the early summer application process.

As part of the same project, there will be TWO AUTUMN WORKSHOPS which are OPEN TO ALL TOURISM BUSINESSES who would like to learn more about developing experiences amd how to work with the travel trade and target markets.

Please make a note of the dates.

Wednesday 31st October 10.30 to 15.30, Dunster - Delivering Memorable Experiences

Tuesday 27th November 10.30 to 15.30, Dunster - Understanding the Travel Trade and Welcoming German and Australian visitors.

The cost is £15 per day and includes teas/coffees and a light lunch. (For those businesses who made successful applications to be part of the collection, these workshops are incldued in your overall fee.)

Full booking details will follow soon but if you have any queries call Max Lawrence (Business Engagement Facilitator) on 01643 862447 or [email protected]

We're continuing to support producers and encourage the use and celebration of local food. Don't forget the:

Local Producers Database helping you to find new local suppliers for your business
Food and Drink Marketing Toolkit for food businesses and producers
CareMoor Dining Club events (see below)
Eat Exmoor Food & Drink Guide for consumers

all of which you'll find here.

We're just starting phase two of the Eat Exmoor project; working closely with local businesses such as food and convenience stores, community shops and post offices to help them source and promote Exmoor produce.

Consultation with Local Retailers

We'll have a consultative forum for shops where we'd like to hear your views about what you need and the issues you face around sourcing, stocking and selling local produce. In the meantime, there is a short questionnaire here, which we'd be delighted if you would complete if you are a local shop keeper/manager.

Based upon what we learn from the questionnaire and the forum, we'll be producing some point of sale material and holding a free drop-in day for Local Producers and Local Shops.

This forum will take place on Tuesday 2nd October 6.30-8pm at the Rest and Be Thankful, Wheddon Cross - please email Katrina to register your attendance [email protected] .

Drop-in day for Local Producers and Shops

There will be a FREE drop-in day for Local Producers and Local Shops in November (date TBA).

During this drop-in day, we'll be providing help with sourcing local produce, food labelling training, branding, social media, legal and accountancy advice for businesses, marketing advice and materials.Not only will it be a great chance to network, you'll also learn new skills and create new opportunities.

Look out for details in our next newsletter but you can email Katrina now on [email protected] to let us know you're interested in coming along and we'll make sure you're kept informed.

Can you doante a prize to help Exmoor in the Mend our Mountains Crowd Funding Campaign?

Exmoor National Park has two projects: Great Bradley Bridge and The Chains (path repairs) which are being included in the national Mend Our Mountains crowd-funding campaign headed by the British Mountaineering Council. The campaign will be launched in September and we need local Exmoor rewards to offer in return for contributions to the crowd-funding. In return for offering a reward you will of course receive appropriate publicity.

You can find out more here or contact Philip Kiberd on [email protected] to discuss offering a reward.

Refill Water Scheme - Can you help to reduce plastic waste in the National Park?

We're delighted to see the Refill scheme doing so well around the country and would like to see Exmoor businesses joining the scheme. There's no cost involved and once you've filled out a simple on-line registration form, we'll send you a window/door sticker.

If you're happy to offer water to refill a bottle for a member of the public, then you're able to register. It's that simple. Your business will then be added to the Refill website

www.refill.org.uk where environmentally minded members of the public can find friendly local cafés and where they can get their water bottle refilled - for free!

CareMoor Dining Club

These events celebrate Local Food and provide publicity for the venues involved whilst also raising money for CareMoor - our Donations scheme. Events are open to all and coming dates are;

24th October - Luttrell Arms, Dunster - part of the Dark Skies Festival

16th November - Beach Hotel, Minehead
click here for details

Read more about holding a Dining Club event here. There's no cost to you and we'll help support and market your event giving you increased exposure and attracting new customers.

Walk this way

A new website for the Tarka Trail long distant walking route is now available at www.tarkatrail.org.uk. The new site aims to promote the 180 mile figure-of-eight walking route as a whole, as inspired by the novel, Tarka the Otter. There is a popular stretch between Meeth and Braunton which is suitable for cycling, but the walking route is much more and takes in the north west area of Exmoor National Park. Businesses along the route can apply for a free listing or take out advertising on the site here.

And don't forget you can support and benefit from our other long distant routes too! The Two Moors Way, South West Coast Path and Coleridge Way!