With a population of 88,000 the South Hams is a rural and coastal district in South Devon comprising 6 market towns (Totnes, Dartmouth, Kingsbridge, Salcombe, Modbury and Ivybridge). Two thirds of its 887 sq. km is protected landscape – National Park or Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB) with Sites of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI), many on the spectacular coastline. Tourism is a major part of the economy with £250 million total expenditure supporting 8,567 jobs, 23% of overall employment.
What has been achieved?
The Council harnesses these assets to promote tourism and visitor management techniques which deliver benefits for residents and visitors.
Our Tourism Strategy enhances industry profitability, the environment and benefits the community and visitors. Including:
- best practice consultation and review through effective partnerships
- careful management and effective use of budgets
- effective use of external funding
- commitment from councillors and staff
- robust processes and performance management
- strong effective relationships with independent Tourist Information Centres
- enthusiastic Tourism Forum members
These deliver a quality-focused sustainable tourism product through key tools:
- strategy based on sound visitor and business research and consultation
- South Hams Sustainable Tourism Initiative
- flagship Green Tourism Business Accreditation Scheme
- On the Right Tracks” Visitor Payback Scheme
- Green Business Club
- sustainable tourism marketing niches
- Cross-cutting policies within the council supporting sustainable tourism themes
- Innovative approaches to environmental enhancement.
For more information please download our PDF information sheet ‘
Background and Case Study’(275kb)
