In January 2006 South Hams District Council was invited to submit a bid to Government Office South West for a further round of European Objective 2 funding.

In conjunction with a number of partners a project plan was submitted for a new sustainable tourism project.  In August 2006 we heard that the bid had been successful.

This new project aims to build on earlier successes and also develop new ways to develop sustainable tourism in the South Hams and other Objective 2 areas.

Objectives which aim to build on previous successes include:

• Initiatives to unlock best practice amongst South Hams Green Businesses in order to disseminate that information to other businesses, local authorities and other stakeholders across the district and also to those across the South West Objective 2 areas.
• Providing further advice & support to existing South Hams green businesses to continue to invest in green tourism initiatives.
• Providing a framework for green businesses to use their green status to develop new markets through improved marketing.

Objectives which aim to look at new aspects of sustainable tourism include:

• Facilitating links between tourism businesses and rural crafts, arts and food and drink businesses to increase their competitiveness
• Improving the promotional exposure of food and drink events and cultural events in the South Hams
• Developing new markets for food & drink & arts/culture practitioners

Background

During the course of the original South Hams Sustainable Tourism Initiative, momentum has grown with many businesses becoming real exemplars of best practice on a national basis.  

The Green Tourism Business Scheme (GTBS) is now being promoted by South West Tourism across the whole of the South West region including Objective 1 & 2 areas.  Since the beginning of the year they have received over 80 applications from South West tourism businesses, building on the 50+ members already active in the South Hams.

It is important that this momentum continues for the benefit of businesses in the South Hams and also for the benefit of businesses across the whole Objective 2 area of the South West.  Many of these businesses have repeatedly stated that the ongoing facilitating role of the green tourism project officer has really helped them realise their own visions for sustainability.

In particular, with the role out of the GTBS across the region now being successfully developed, it is important that South Hams businesses be given the support they need to continue the development and innovation of green tourism activities and to push the boundaries for sustainable tourism to the benefit of the whole South West Objective 2 region.

Objectives

As the previous South Hams project progressed, new priorities and objectives emerged for a South Hams Sustainable Tourism Initiative Phase 2.  These objectives aim to support and motivate South Hams businesses as well as providing examples of best practice to support the rollout of the GTBS Scheme across the South West.

The overall objective of this project will be to aim to increase visitor spend for the district and to improve all year round business sustainability and to disseminate this best practice for the benefit of the South West Objective 2 area.

The principal objectives are highlighted below with full descriptions provided later in this document:

• Work with existing GTBS businesses and visitor payback businesses to disseminate best-practice and publish case studies to tourism businesses across the district and also to those across the South West Objective 2 areas; these will be made available on the SHDC and other tourism web sites.  

• Provide opportunities for existing GTBS businesses to receive specialised and advanced in-depth advice in relation to specific sustainable projects to push back the boundaries of sustainable tourism practices.

• Develop a programme of nature and heritage exploration opportunities for promotion by the tourism providers.

• Piloting & publication of a Responsible Tourism Visitor Pack in the South Hams which can then be accessed by business regionally.  This will support the work of Future Footprints by raising awareness of environmental issues and encouraging visitors to be responsible tourists.

• Publication of a Green Business Marketing Advice Pack in the South Hams which can then be accessed by businesses regionally. This will enable businesses to exploit their USP and increase their competitiveness and profitability; support Southwest Tourism’s marketing ‘workshops’ and ‘surgeries’.

• Conduct research into the nature and value of cultural tourism within the South Hams

• Facilitate links between tourism businesses and rural crafts, arts, and food & drink businesses to increase their competitiveness, improve the visitor experience, and increase visitor spend on local produce.  Support Future Footprint’s local purchasing initiative.

• Organise seminars for the organisers of food & drink and cultural events to increase their marketing knowledge and exposure to increase tourism spend in the district.

• Organise seminars for food & drink & arts / culture practitioners to increase their marketing knowledge and exposure to increase tourisms spend in the district.

For further information on the project please contact Sarah Streeter on 01803 861249 or Sarah.Streeter@southhams.gov.uk