| On the buses |
 A new Exmoor Timetable book has been published by Somerset County Council, with support from the Exmoor National Park Authority to ensure all routes within the National Park are covered in a single guide. Hard copies will be available shortly from National Park Centres or by emailing Transporting Somerset. In the meantime you can download a free copy from the Explore Moor site which contains car free walks, itineraries and much more.
The MoorRover is running once again this year and is currently available for group bookings. The service is available to all once again from July through to September with fares held at the 2010 level. The service will pick up and drop off passengers anywhere within the National Park providing there is not an alternative public transport option. |
| Marketing campaign update |
 The Exmoor Tourism Partnership is co-ordinating a marketing campaign to raise the profile of Exmoor (including the National Park, Quantock Hills and coastal areas) with funding support primarily from West Somerset Council and the Exmoor National Park Authority with additional support from the Exmoor Tourist Association and others.
Ongoing direct marketing continues to result in requests for the Exmoor 2011 brochure and this is being supplemented by a campaign in Country Walking magazine one of the nations leading titles covering walking and the outdoors. The campaign spanning 5 months includes display adverts and the insertion of a free copy of the National Park Pocket Guide. A further campaign is planned for regional newspapers in key target areas whilst we are in the process of appointing PR services for the next twelve months to gain national press coverage.
The current promotional work will be complemented by further marketing campaigns promoting the new Visit Exmoor website which is due to launch at the end of June. |
| Take part in Europe's biggest National Park tourism survey |
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 Many thanks to those of you that have already participated in the Europarc Survey which is being conducted by the International Centre for Responsible Tourism to gather data regarding the performance of tourism economies across Europe's National Parks. The survey will also examine the likely impact of sustianble tourism practices in increasing the value of tourism to National Parks. All data is completely confidential and anonymous and will allow us to consider our tourism offer alongside other similar areas.
Take part in the survey now!
The survey is commissioned by Europarc - the federation of protected areas within Europe. |
| Lynmouth Pavillion consultation |
Significant progress is being made towards the restoration of the Lynmouth Pavillion to provide a coastal National Park Centre.
Initial design concepts are currently being drawn up and anyone with an interest in the development is invited to a consultation event to take place on Wednesday 18 May 2011 at Lynton Town Hall between 4pm and 7pm.
Should you have any old photos or memories of the Pavillion itself, its development or even the site before it was started please bring them to share with the project team. |
| Heart of the South West - Local Enterprise Partnership |
 The Heart of the South West Local Enterprise Partnership (LEP) covers Devon and Somerset and in line with the coalition Governments objective of localism will be taking on many of the economic functions previously conducted by the South West Regional Development Agency.
The new LEP highlights the 'exceptional landscape and coastline, including two National Parks, providing an unrivalled tourism experience'. The LEP will be private sector led with support from public bodies, including the Exmoor National Park Authority.
Anyone interested in applying to be a private sector board member to play in active role in driving forwards the economic prosperity of the area can download further information and an application form here. |
| South West Tourism Alliance |
 Over the last 6 months industry leaders have been working closely with the team at South West Tourism to ensure that critical services are safeguarded in 2011 and the tourism industry of the South West still receives the support it needs. The formation of The South West Tourism Alliance is the result of on-going negotiations in relation to those services which the industry value and the Alliance is the new vehicle to link these services and the industry together.
The Alliance aims to provide a shared voice for the tourism industry. Services identified by the industry are the initial focus of the Alliance and include research and intelligence, training, sustainability, Excellence awards and co-ordination.
Exmoor National Park Authority is a joint founding member with the Dartmoor National Park Authority. For further details please click here. |
Overall visitor satisfaction on Exmoor has risen to 100% with 99% rating their experiences as 'very good' or 'good' according to a new report published by Exmoor National Park Authority. 
