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| Welcome to the Exmoor Tourism Update | |
This e-update is produced by the Exmoor National Park Authority as part of the Exmoor Tourism Partnership to keep tourism providers updated with the latest news and to 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 Awareness |
 The 9th series of Exmoor Awareness got off to a great start on the 1 March with a full house exploring the rich moorland heritage of the National Park with the Heart of Exmoor Moorland Landscape Partnership team. Using Simonsbath as a central destination in the former Royal Hunting Forest of Exmoor attendees explored the water powered Victorian sawmill, Ashcombe Woods, the abandoned mine at Wheal Eliza and Simonsbath House.
Exmoor Awareness is a unique opportunity for tourism providers to gain a greater insight into the special qualities of the National Park. There are two further courses planned for this year:
- 14th March: The Star Attraction - focusing on how tourism providers can benefit from Exmoor's designation as Europe's first International Dark Sky Reserve.
- 28th March: Exmoor through the Ages - exploring the interaction of the built and natural environment using the medieval village of Dunster as an example.
For further information and a booking form please click here. Advanced booking essential. |
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Do you want to catch up on past editions? Back issues can be downloaded here. |
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| Exmoor Coastal Link bus to run full summer service |
 Exmoor National Park Authority has stepped in with an offer of £20,000 from its Partnership Fund to help ensure that the iconic Exmoor Coastal Link 300 bus provides the same service for the 2012 season as was available last year.
The action follows the announcement by Somerset County Council of routes across the county which were due to lose funding, including withdrawal of all funding for the 300, in a bid to save £1.5 million. The Council subsequently agreed to a maintain 50 per cent of the previous year's subsidy for the Minehead to Lynmouth via Porlock service. The Partnership Fund contribution of £20,000 will provide additional funding towards operating a full service this year with the shortfall being met by the operator Quantock Motor Services.
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| Exmoor Visitor 2012 |
 The new Exmoor Visitor has now been published featuring visitor information for those enjoying the National Park, along with a comprehensive programme of events over the next 12 months.
Copies are available free of charge for tourism providers to distribute and will be available from the Exmoor Exchange, along with other National Park Authority publications including the Pocket Guide, Dark Skies Reserve Pocket Guide and dispensers with built in collecting boxes for CareMoor for Exmoor. |
| Lynmouth Pavillion | |
 As plans progress for a new state of the art National Park Centre at Lynmouth progress tourism providers and interested parties are invited to a consultation event to find out the latest progress, and to talk about the exciting next stages. Staff from the project team will be on hand at the Lynton Town Hall from 16.00 to 20.00 on Monday 26 March to talk through the proposals.
Following discussions with local businesses demolition work has been deferred to October 2012 to minimise disruption during the main season. It is anticipated that, working to the revised timetable, the new Centre will still be open for Spring 2013. |
| Exmoor Exchange | |
The annual literature exchange and networking event for Exmoor based tourism providers takes place on the 8 March at the Minehead Eye from 11am to 2.30pm.
"We've got over 55 stalls booked so it's our biggest Exchange event yet! It's a great chance to network and talk through all the issues affecting your business with other tourism providers" advises organiser, Rachel Kelly. "Why not sample the new menu at the Minehead EYE cafe; discuss the hot topics affecting tourism in our area with friends and business acquaintances over lunch, before going round the stalls?" |
| National Parks Week 2012 - Winning Landscapes! | |
 National Parks Week this year is a celebration of our beautiful winning landscapes and runs from 30 July to 5 August 2012. They have inspired generations of runners, cyclists, sailors, mountaineers and Olympic athletes to train harder and aim higher - sometimes with medal-winning results. A series of events will be planned throughout the National Parks, including Exmoor.
Exmoor based explorer Sir Ranulph Fiennes says "I'm fortunate enough to live in Exmoor National Park where there is plenty of space to get out for a run and enjoy the fresh air. If you haven't explored our wonderful National Parks, you are, I assure you, missing out in a big way. Whether you are young or old, fit or rusty, I would seriously advise you to pay a visit whenever you next get a spare day in your diary!"
For further inspiration and information about National Parks Week please click here. |
| Multi Million £ bid |
Working with Dartmoor National Park Authority and Devon and Somerset County Councils the National Park Authority has submitted a £3.6m funding bid to the Department for Transports 'Local Sustainable Transport Fund'. If successful the funding will help to initiate a range of sustainable travel projects throughout Exmoor and Dartmoor National Parks along with dedicated marketing and promotion of opportunities to encourage economic growth whilst minimising the impact on these precious landscapes. For more information please click here. |
| Put your bsuiness on the map! |
 Tourism providers are being offered an opportunity to 'put themselves on the map' with a special offer of an Exmoor National Park poster marking their business. Based on the popular 'National Park Pocket Guide' the posters are custom printed to pinpoint your business on the map and come complete with a PCFC certified pine frame measuring 32" x 23" ready to hang.
The posters cost £20 each. For more information and an order form click here. Orders will also be taken at the ENPA stand at the Exmoor Exchange. |
| Interactive Map for Exmoor |
 A new and improved interactive map can now be found within the visiting section of the National Park Authority's website. The new map includes a revamped events diary allowing people to search for, locate and get directions to, local events across the moor.
The map continues to include a range of self guided graded walks with something to suit all ability and tastes.
Other features include top spots for wildlife, places of interest, photographs of key landmarks and views, and information such as the location of National Park Centres, toilets, and car parks. Click here to view the map. |
| Merrell & UK National Parks - your passport to adventure |
 Exmoor National Park Authority has joined the other 14 National Parks across the UK to promote a visitor passport scheme in partnership with the outdoor gear specialists Merrell who are offering the chance to win top of the range Merrell gear.
The partnership was initially launched in Spring 2011 and will now see Merrell extend its work with the UK National Park Family by distributing 'Visitor Passports' to a whole new audience of Merrell customers. UK National Parks Visitor Passports are now available to download at http://www.nationalparks.gov.uk/visiting/visitor_passport.htm and whenever you buy Merrell gear in stores across the UK. By getting their passport stamped in each of the 15 National Parks, visitors have a lasting memory of their outdoor adventure and discovery and have a chance to win a pair of Merrell footwear. |
| Developing Digital Marketing |
Making the Links are running a tourism training seminar on 'Developing Digital Marketing'. The course is run by Jim Hardcastle of Viper Marketing who has been invited back following great feedback from the marketing workshop he ran at the Exmoor Toruism Partnership conference in November. The session takes place at he WSR Cafe opposite the Minehead Eye from 1-4pm on the 8 March (allowing you to combine with a visit to the Exmoor Exchange). The cost is £20. For information or to book please contact Jenny Carey-Wood 01984 629059 or email jenny@makingthelinks.co.uk. |
| Walking Festival open for bookings |
 The Spring 2012 Exmoor Walking Festival is now open for bookings. This year the festival has changed slightly and will be predominantly focusing on the National Park running from West to East over the period. Starting in Ilfracombe and then basing walks around Lynton & Lynmouth, Porlock and Dunster the festival includes over 30 walks with friendly expert guides.
The festival is supported by local organisations, corporate sponsors and the National Park Authority's Partnership Fund. The more support the festival gets in its new format the greater its strength for the future - do help to promote it to your guests and potential visitors to the area if you can. Full details at www.exmoorwalkingfestival.co.uk. |
| Marketing Update |
The Exmoor Tourism Partnership is in full swing delivering the Marketing Plan for this year. National campaigns focusing on dark skies, country walking and the coastal opportunties within Exmoor (including the Naitonal Park, Coast and Quantock Hills AONB) are currently being published within national publications. Meanwhile a range of trade shows are being attended in conjunction with the West Somerset Railway.
Work continues on securing high level PR coverage, maintaining Exmoor's position on the web with the Visit Exmoor website and distribution of the 2012 brochure. This years Marketing Plan is valued at over £70k using a combination of industry contributions, a grant from the National Park Authority's Partnership Fund and support from West Somerset Council. |
| Lynton and Lynmouth achieve Walkers are Welcome accreditation |
 Congratulations to the Lyn community Development trust who have recently achieved accreditation for Lynton and Lynmouth under the 'Walkers are Welcome' scheme.
The award recognises both the opportunities for walking in the area along with the welcome provided by the communities to walkers. Lynon and Lynmouth join Dunster which was the first location on exmoor to gain the award and Porlock are hoping to follow uit soon. For more information on the scheme please click here. |
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