November 2010

Tourism Update winter header
Welcome to the Exmoor Tourism Update 

This e-update is produced by the Exmoor National Park Authority as part of the Exmoor Torusim Partnership to keep tourism providers updated with the latest news and encourage 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 conference - 24 November. Book today!

All those with tourism interests are invited to join the Exmoor Tourism Partnership's conference on the 24 November at Ralegh's Cross. The theme "Building a resilient tourism industry in a changing environment" will provide delegates with the opportunity to review the past season and discuss the future challenges and opportunities that lie ahead for the industry.

 

"This is a welcome opportunity for everyone involved in tourism in the greater Exmoor area to pull together and influence the way that the area is portrayed to visitors." Says Evelyn Stacey,  Chair of the Exmoor Tourism Partnership. "In my short time as Chairman of the Exmoor Tourism Partnership I have been greatly impressed by the way that the industry and local government bodies have been concentrating on the future, identifying key issues, the most important of which is that working together harmoniously to improve the tourism offer will generate the greatest benefits."

 

It is hoped that as many tourism providers as possible will attend this important event which will include a range of speakers, workshops and news updates. Places must be booked in advance and cost just £10 per person including lunch.
In This Issue
Exmoor tourism conference
Winter Wonderland
New winter bus service
Training opportunities
National Park Centre opening times
Tourism business survey
Silver and Gold on the Moors
National Park Pocket Guide dispensers
Quick Links
Exmoor Winter Wonderland

frosty moss on Tarr StepsA joint initiative promoting Exmoor as a winter wonderland will be launched in mid November. The Exmoor Magazine has produced a colour supplement to their winter edition highlighting the myriad of winter events available across the area. Further copies will be distributed as stand alone brochures around the surrounding areas encouraging people to visit the area his winter. Electronic copies will be available from the new Exmoor Magazine website from mid-November.

New winter bus service
ExploreMoor logoFollowing support from Devon County Councillor and Exmoor National Park Authority Vice-Chair, Andrea Davis, Devon County Council have agreed to extend their winter 300 service between Barnstaple and Lynmouth all the way to Minehead operating 2 journeys a day at weekends from November to April. Full details and timetables can be downloaded from ExploreMoor.

Why not use ExploreMoor to help your guests plan a perfect winter weekend walk or trip using the service and the other services available throughout the season?
Training opportunities

Tourism training courses are on offer to all Exmoor based businesses thanks to the Devon Tourism Skills Network with topics including Welcome Walkers and cyclists, e-marketing and, kitchen skills. For the full programme click here (PDF).

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On the 10 November a free drop in IT clinic will be taking place at Wheddon Cross from 1-7pm with short half hour sessions including using social media for business, website effectiveness, mobile working and how to sell online. Throughout the afternoon displays and demonstrations will be available covering a wide range of IT related topics. For further details please click here.

WInter opening for National Park Centres

Dulverton NPCFrom the 7th November Dulverton National Park Centre will be open 7 days a week throughout the winter from 10.30am to 3pm. Lynmouth and Dunster National Park Centres will be closed for the winter with the exception of the weekends 13/14, 20/21 and 27/28  November  (open 10.30am to 3pm) and February half term. Dunster will also be open for Dunster by Candlelight. All centres will be open 7 days a week from 1 April 2011.

Tourism Business Survey

A massive thank you to all those that responded to the 2010 tourism business survey. We received almost 100 responses which are currently being collated and analysed. Some of the findings will be presented at the Exmoor Tourism Partnership conference and included in the State of Tourism Report - 2010 update. The findings will be of benefit to all those working to support tourism in the area and will help inform and direct the future work of the Exmoor Tourism Partnership.

 

Congratulations to Wellcombe Holiday Lets in Porlock who won the prize draw for a £25 gift voucher.

Silver and Gold on the Moors

Congratulations to the Bridge Inn in Dulverton. Two years ago they are thought to have become the first pub in the South West to successfully join the Green Tourism Business Scheme, receiving a Bronze award. Now two years on they have been reassessed and are proud holders of a Silver award, demonstrating their commitment to the environment and community within which they operate. South West Lakes Trust at Wimbleball successfully held on to their Gold award (the only one on Exmoor) following re-assessment.

 

The Green Tourism Business Scheme is the only green accreditation scheme currently officially endorsed by Visit Britain and green minded visitors can search for all providers on Exmoor holding a Green Tourism Business Scheme award at Bronze, Silver or Gold level on the Visit Exmoor website.

National Park Pocket Guide dispensers
CareMoor boxNew dispensers locally made from Exmoor timber are now available to any business wishing to provide copies of the new National Park Pocket Guide in return to promoting CareMoor for Exmoor, the official conservation and access fund for the National Park.

The new guide was launched in July and has proved to be very popular already. The dispensers, available in single or double size, include a secure collection box for CareMoor for Exmoor donations and provide one of several ways to help visitors invest in the area. If you wish to apply for a new collection box please email CareMoor@exmoor-nationalpark.gov.uk.