The South West attracts more visitors than any region outside London. South West Tourism’s recent State of Tourism report for the South West highlights the importance of tourism to the region:   In 2001, approx. 26m staying visitors came to the S...

Tourism

© Copyright, Andrew Besley
The inland countryside, distinct from coastal locations, accounts for 25% of all holiday trips in the region. Important issues to address include the relationship between tourism and agriculture, retaining local distinctiveness and avoiding over supply of accommodation and attractions, while improving their quality and appeal.


None the less, over a quarter of visitors are drawn to the area purely because of the South West Coast Path National Trail and new research indicates that these visitors contribute £136 million to the region’s economy – which alone is the equivalent of 3,400 jobs. 

Natural England is particularly interested in the links between successful tourism businesses and sustaining the character of the English countryside.   Current work aimed at informing current and future debate on this topic includes:

Exmoor QUEST (Quality Underpins Exmoor's Sustainable Tourism):

The QUEST initiative is a five-year (2002-2007) national demonstration pilot project for sustainable tourism. Funded by the Countryside Agency - now Natural England - and hosted by the Exmoor National Park Authority, the project encourages collaboration between public sector organisations and private sector businesses to strengthen Exmoor as a high quality rural visitor destination. Its aims are to:

  • Coordinate tourism management, training and business development; 
  • Promote the quality of place, products and facilities; 
  • Undertake research on potential and existing markets and monitor tourism impacts on the environment, economy and communities as well as visitor satisfaction levels;
  • Encourage sustainable practices amongst visitors and businesses as well as appreciation of and increase spending on the things that make Exmoor special - events, festivals, history, local products and outdoor activities.       

For further information visit Exmoor National Park  http://www.exmoor-nationalpark.gov.uk/.

Jurassic Coast World Heritage Site, Dorset and East Devon:

Natural England seeks to encourage sustainable tourism in Dorset through integrating the Dorset Coast Strategy, the South West Coast Path strategy and the management plan for the World Heritage Site. 

Work to date has included: a Jurassic Coast Bus, a visitor passport encouraging people to visit certain areas of the coast and a Jurassic Coast Guide. For further information visit the Jurassic Coast website at http://www.jurassiccoast.com/.

South Devon leading the way on Green Tourism Initiatives:

Working through South Devon AONB, we have part-funded an officer to develop sustainable tourism in South Devon.  The work has two main strands:

  • Visitor pay-back scheme.         

Over 30 tourism operators operate a visitor pay-back scheme whereby money raised will fund the maintenance and improvements of Green Lanes in South Devon.  These Green Lanes are old smugglers lanes, cattle droves, etc that have fallen into disrepair.  So far, approximately 50 green lanes out of 300 have been improved through visitor pay-back.

  • Promotion of Green Awards through the Green Tourism Business Scheme.         

Promotion of sustainable tourism initiatives for approximately ninety businesses (including hoteliers, marinas, transport operators) registered on the Green Tourism Business Scheme. For further information go to http://www.south-hams-dc.gov.uk/.