September 2012

Summer header

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.
New Exmoor brand unveiled and available for use

 
 
A new tourism brand for Exmoor has been unveiled by the Exmoor Tourism Partnership. Designed to fit alongside the brands and logos of the National Park and the Quantock Hills the new Exmoor logo will provide a single co-ordinated brand for the Exmoor, Coast and Quantock Hills tourism area.

The brand has been developed based on research and industry consultation to reflect the core values of the area. The logo is the visual identity but the brand also encompasses the types of messages used in different situations when marketing the area.

Individual business and not for profit organisations can make use of the new brand, and are actively encouraged to do so in order to maximise the awareness of the brand to consumers. Businesses should be a member of a recogniseed tourism group operating in the area and anyone using the logo must abide by the guidelines.

Specific versions of the logo are available to download and use depending on the nature of your organisation and location.

Full details can be found in the brand guidelines available to download from the Exmoor Tourism Partnership website, along with the different logo versions.

In This Issue
New Exmoor brand
Low Carbon Festival 2012
2013 brochure
E-charge points
Joan Loraine book signing
National Park Award
Save the date!
ETP Marketing Update
Put your business on the map

 Quick Links

 

 Europarc charter logo
Do you want to catch up on past editions? Back issues can be downloaded here.
Low Carbon Festival 2012
 

The Dartmoor and Exmoor Low Carbon Festival is back for its 4th year with a wide range of events for everyone during the first week in October.

Of particular interest to tourism providers will be the 'Introduction to Wood Heating' at the Forest Inn, Simonsbath on Wednesday 3 October. There will be the opportunity to view the newly installed automated wood chip heating system and find out how this will save an estimated �6,000 a year on fuel bills and in addition will provide an estimated �9,000 a year revenue through the Government's Renewable Heat Incentive for the next 20 years! The event will include a guided tour of the heating system and talks from experts regarding wood fuelled heating, wood fuel, woodland management and the Renewable Heat Incentive. Free and impartial advice will also be available so you can find out whether wood heating (log, chip or pellet) is likely to be suitable to your circumstances. The event costs �10 (including buffet lunch).

During the day, also at Simonsbath, Exmoor Unplugged are joining forces with Experience Exmoor to offer e-bike taster sessions to give you, or your visitors, the opportunity to enjoy the exhilarating experience of cycling through the National Park with a bit of a helping hand. This is free of charge, but booking is required for your 1hr ride.

For more information and to book either of these events please contact Ben Eardley [email protected] on 01398 323665.

For details of all Exmoor based events please see the full programme which includes a hydro tour, an open day at Minehead Energy Saving Centre, wood craft demonstrations and tasters and much more. The popular Lyn and Porlock Food Festivals take place at either end of the festival on the 30 September and 5-7 October respectively.

2013 Exmoor brochure - advertising deadline looms!

 

Tourism businesses across Exmoor, the Coast and Quantock Hills are being urged to make the most of a price freeze on the area's main tourism brochure, Exmoor 2013 - the official brochure and visitor guide for the area.

The deadline for booking an advert is 10 Septmember so don't delay!
 
To book your advert today, and for further details download the rate card:

 

 

Electric charging points for cars

The market for electric cars is set to grow at a fast rate with 1 million expected to be on UK roads by 2020. Are you ready to welcome them to your business?

Sinai House in Lynton is thought to be host to the first electric car charging point on Exmoor (one of a handful between Exeter, Bristol & Cornwall).

Thanks to charity Zero Carbon World you could join them. Zero Carbon World will provide eligible hotels and leisure businesses with two charging points worth �450 each to help provide the required infastructure for electric car use to become more viable. Businesses will need to pay for installation. For full details click here.

Joan Loraine book signing

Author and world renowned plant woman Joan Loraine will be doing a book signing of her latest book 'Hunting the Dog's Tooth - Erthnium in the Garden and the wild' and taking time to talk to people and share her experiences. Joan will also have information about her gardens at Greencombe which contains 4 National Plant Collections.

 

Joan Loraine will be at the Dunster National Park Centre between 11am and 4pm on Wednesday 19 September.

National Park Award and new Partnership Plan

Achievement Award presentation  Earlier in the summer the Exmoor Tourism Partnership's work to encourage 'Understanding and enjoyment' within the National Park was recognised in the Exmoor National Park Achievement Awards which recognised those organisations that made significant contributions to the ambitions within the 2012-2017 National Park Management Plan.

 

The award was received by Evelyn Stacey, Chairman of the Exmoor Tourisim Partnership, on behalf of the member organisations that make up the partnership. Other awards in the 'Understanding and enjoyment' category went to the Calvert Trust, the Countryside Mobility project and the Mosaic project.

 

The National Park Authority has now published a new 5 year Partnership Plan for the National Park with 3 programmes focusing on a 'Thriving, living landscape', 'connecting people and place' and looking 'Towards a sustainable future'. Promoting Exmoor National Park as a special destination is one of 13 priorities within the Plan and is overseen by the Exmoor Tourism Partnership.

 

The full plan can be viewed here or a summary document here.

Save the date! 28 November 2012

 The annual Exmoor Tourism Conference, hosted by the Exmoor Tourism Partnership, will be held on Wednesday 28 November 2012 at Halsway Manor.

 

Further details will be released soon, but in the meantime please save the date for the largest annual gathering of tourism providers from the Greater Exmoor area. Previous conferences have attracted almost 100 delegates keen to share information, discuss, learn and be inspired.

ETP Marketing Update

 The wet summer (the wettest since 1912), competition from major events like the Olympics and the Jubilee, in addition to the economic downturn have led to a challenging season for many tourism providers. This is not unique to Exmoor and has been experienced the length and breadth of the country.

 

This year however the Exmoor Tourism Partnership has been able to increase its marketing work thanks to the resources committed from partners. Highlights this year include campaigns in Country Walking, Coast and BBC Sky at Night magazines, production and distribution of the Exmoor 2012 brochure and the Exmoor Visitor, Exmoor's first TV advert, PR and press coverage including extensive national TV coverage, enhanced soical media activity and attendance at a wide variety of shows and exhibitions. Partners are currnetly working on securing the adiditonal resources required for future years.

 

The Exmoor Guinea promotion launched in Lynton at the start of the summer has helped create further press coverage and offer added value to visitors to the area. The initial scheme runs to the end of October and you can still take part if you have autumn promotions you wish to push.

Put your business 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.