March 2010

Tourism Update header - winter

Welcome to the Exmoor Tourism Update 

A bi-monthly update from Exmoor National Park Authority - part of the Exmoor Tourism Partnership - keeping tourism providers updated with the latest news and encouraging the development of Sustainable Tourism on Exmoor.

Please do let us know if there is any relevant sustainable tourism information that you would like us to cover in future issues.
 
Dan James
Sustainable Economy Officer,
Exmoor National Park Authority.
Exmoor Tourism Partnership Action Plan
The recently formed Exmoor Tourism Partnership has recently published its first action plan co-ordinating tourism support and promotion across Greater Exmoor between the core partners (Exmoor Tourist Association, Active Exmoor, West Somerset Council and the National Park Authority), key organisations (Somerset Tourism Partnership & North Devon +) and the wider network of local tourism groups and associations.
 

The Action Plan is owned by all partners and is a collection of different priorities and activities taken from each partners own work plans and aspirations. This will provide a framework for the co-ordinated delivery of tourism support over the next two years, the formative stages of the partnership. The new action plan is based on the 7 objectives of the Partnership, and also links actions back to six priority themes identified by the industry. View the action plan online here.

In This Issue
Exmoor Tourism Partnership Action Plan
MoorRover to run extended scheme
National Park Centres open for business
Exeter University resarches Exmoor tourism
Your Future Exmoor
Double win for Exmoor
West Somerset Mineral Railway
Free seminar for Somerset businesses
Low Carbon - challenge & opportunities
Felling the pinch?
Quick Links
MoorRover to run extended service
MoorRover logo
The MoorRover was such a success in 2009 that it is set to return in 2010. Offering demand responsive travel for visitors and local residents alike where other public transport is unavailable the MoorRover is covering the whole of the National Park this year.
 
The service operates from July to the end of September and is also available for group bookings of 6 or more during April to June. This year will also see the introduction of a new 7 seat vehicle for smaller groups whilst the service can continue to carry up to 16 passengers. All vehicles can carry bikes and wheelchairs as well as luggage. 
 
The service is operated by AtWest with support from the Exmoor National Park sustainbale Development Fund. Download the leaflet here (PDF, 2mb).
National Park Centres open for business
 
Dulverton NPCAll 3 National Park Centres at Dulverton, Dunster and Lynmouth will be open daily for the new season from the 27 March 2010. Dulverton is already open daily, whilst Lynmouth and Dunster are currently open at weekends.
 
Do make use of the National Park Centres, as well as the Visitor Centres at Minehead, Porlock, Lynton and Combe Martin and ensure that they are aware of any events you are involved with in the area.
Exeter University researches Exmoor tourism
Exeter Uni logoThe University of Exeter has joined forces with the Exmoor National Park Authority to host a PhD student to conduct a 3 year piece of research on 'Awareness and Perceptions of Exmoor National Park and impact on the Local Tourism Economy'.
 
The research, funded by the European Social Research Council, will help the tourism sector to decide how best to encourage and cater for visitors. Previous research has shown that despite a high awareness of Exmoor as a destination and a high proportion of repeat visits there is a challenge in converting awareness into first time visits.
Your Future Exmoor - visitor survey
 
Your Future ExmoorAs part of the 'Your Future Exmoor' consultation on future planning policies the National Park Authority are now seeking the views of visitors.
 
Consultation events have been run for all parishes within Exmoor between January and March allowing local residents and businesses to provide input. The Authority is also interested in the experiences of visitors to Exmoor and their thoughts for the future of the National Park. Tourism providers are encouraged to share the link below with visitors - all questionnaires completed by 11 June 2010 will be entered into a prize draw to win either a local food hamper or a coffee table book of Exmoor National Park. The survey is available here: http://survey.constantcontact.com/survey/a07e2qhm0fng5qyhya0/start
Double win for Exmoor
Travellers' choice logoCongratulations are due to not one, but two Exmoor accommodation providers who made it into the UK top 25 of the Trip Advisor Travellers' Choice Hotel Awards 2010. As more and more visitors look to the internet to book their holidays sites that involve customer feedback are playing an ever increasing role in directing bookings to those establishments that go the extra mile.
 
In 9th place is the Dunkery Beacon Hotel at Wootton Courtney run by Derek and Rebecca Brown.The Old Rectory Hotel at Martinhoe, run by Huw Rees and Sam Prosser, took 11th place.
 
"Inspired by the millions of trusted traveler reviews and opinions on TripAdvisor.com, the Travelers' Choice awards have once again highlighted the finest hotels in the world," said Christine Petersen, chief marketing officer for TripAdvisor. "From remarkable bargains to the trendiest hotels, travelers worldwide are recognizing more than 700 hotels for their outstanding service, value and quality."
West Somerset Mineral Railway website, leaflets and events
The website for the West Somerset Mineral Railway is now live. Following a period of conservation and restoration of key features along the old mineral line across the Brendons to Watchet and an intensive education programme last year the website brings together a wealth of information.
 
A series of six visitor leaflets about the West Somerset Mineral Railway are being distributed to Exmoor National Park Centres, Tourist Information Centres Mineral line logoand other relevant locations. The colour coded series consist of an overview/introductory leaflet, site specific leaflets for the Incline, the mining sites and trail at Chargot, the Watchet to Washford trail and for Watchet.  A further leaflet provides background information on iron ore mining on the Brendon Hills. You can download printer friendly digital copies of these leaflets by visiting the  Sites to Explore section of this website.
 
Volunteers continue to provide free guided walks - advanced booking essential.
Free seminar for Somerset businesses
Tourism businesses in Somerset are invited to a free seminar on the 30th April. The event, entitled Saving energy, effective recycling, climate change and making money takes place on the 30th April at the Conference Centre, SCAT, Taunton and will provide an opportunity for tourism businesses in Somerset to find out about recycling waste, energy saving, climate change and effective communication with potential visitors - all of which could either save or make money. To book a place, which includes lunch, please email John Carter at Somerset County Council (max. 2 places per business).
Low Carbon - challenge & opportunities
Low Carbon Communities Challenge
Exmoor is one of 22 communities to be selected for the Low Carbon Communities Challenege an intiative run by the Department for Energy and Climate Change.

As a consequence, up to �500,000 is available within Exmoor National Park to enable a community-based approach to making the transition to low carbon living (acting as a pilot to other areas). The funding must be spent on capital projects which help to reduce greenhouse gas emissions such as renewable energy technologies and energy efficiency measures. The funding is to be allocated to communities as opposed to individual applicants. A number of geographic communities across Exmoor are currently preparing applications which could include tourism facilities and it would also be possible for an application to be considered based on the 'tourism community' of Exmoor if a group of providers wish to work collaboratively to pilot low carbon tourism intiatives. Full details and application forms (deadline 31 April 2010) can be downloaded here.

This is an opportune time to consider renewable heat and energy installations with the introduction of a new feed-in-tariff which comes into effect from the 1st April 2010 and provides a premium price for electricity generated from renewable sources. This means that renewable heat and energy installations will not only provide you with reduced running costs, but also provide an income to help offset the capital costs - as well as lowering carbon emissions. Further details here.
Feeling the pinch?
Many businesses will have been impacted by soaring fuel bills over the last weeks following one of the coldest winters for years. There are still a number of free energy efficiency surveys available to tourism businesses located within the National Park funded by the National Park Authority and delivered by Forum 21. Each survey will provide an opportunity for a trained volunteer to assess appropriate (and often relatively low cost) actions you can take to decrease your energy use whilst maintaining comfort levels and saving money. The surveys are delivered for free, impartially and with no obligations towards any further action. To apply please complete a simple application form (PDF, 156kb).