2012 update
Tourism Exmoor Conference Touir The 2012 Exmoor Tourism Conference takes place on the 28 November from 10am to 4pm at Halsway Manor in the Quantock Hills. Highlights of the day will be hearing from Kevin Redpath on New Media and James Crowden about Literary Somerset (see back page). The day will also include workshops and news round shorts that are sure to give you lots of tips, ideas and help in converting potential customers. Lovely Halsway Manor located within the Quantock Hills Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty is our host for this year, and we do hope that you will take advantage of visiting this 'extension' to the stunning landscapes of Exmoor. We will be allowing plenty of time for networking with industry colleagues both old and new. Book early to avoid disappointment by downloading a form from the ETP website.
From the Chairman Another year has passed and, despite the continuing challenge of the economic climate and even bigger challenges from our natural climate, the tourism sector in our area has continued to make significant strides. In 2012, your Tourism Partnership was further strengthened with new core partners Somerset County Council and North Devon+, and associate members Quantock Hills AONB and Somerset Tourism Association, its Chairman Bob Smart being a welcome contributor to our quarterly meetings. Our meetings are short, focussed and collaborative: how can we best use our combined resources? There is no time for protectionism or politics. Every partner is focussed on the health of the tourism sector and making it strong and self-supporting going forward. Long may it continue! Some highlights since our last newsletter The industry is now managing the Visit Exmoor and Visit Somerset websites Exmoor Tourist Association completed a robust business plan, essential to satisfy investors and attract and retain members The Walking Festival ran without heavy subsidy, working to a clear financial plan West Somerset Council has appointed Rob Downes as its Tourism Officer and is working closely with partners to gain maximum benefit from any Hinkley Point planning gain
Exmoor National Park Authority has granted a further £45.5k from its discretionary budget towards fulfilling years two and three of our three year marketing plan We are strengthening skills in the tourism industry, mindful that we are in it for the long haul and local authority funding cannot be guaranteed North Devon+ has been tremendously supportive with numerous training seminars to improve skills, employee culture and the pursuit of excellence and a forum for people to swap ideas. We have a superb marketing group, with members from key local enterprises – the small sums of money available to our partners goes so much further when marketing is a collaborative venture, with no duplication of effort. Digital marketing and social media are taking an ever higher profile and I for one am pleased that we have the combined support of some of the best marketing and PR brains in the SW. Clearly, tourism continues to make a vital contribution to the wider economy of Greater Exmoor. ETP will do everything it can to ensure tourism’s pivotal role in the area’s economic health is given due recognition, both locally and nationally. I very much look forward to seeing you at our November conference. Evelyn Stacey, Chairman Exmoor Tourism Partnership
www.exmoortourismpartnership.org.uk