• Participatory climate adaptation methods that strengthened local capacity and confidence in joint planning.
• Development of the UK’s first cross-UNESCO FAIR data catalogue prototypes and open-source tools for climate and heritage data.
• Engagement of twelve government departments in a new governance structure, demonstrating heritage as a platform for integrated policy.
• Creative community engagement through the FutureScapes model, involving over 600 stakeholders in place-based climate dialogue.

The report concludes that people and partnerships—not technology alone—drive effective climate action, and that UNESCO sites offer the collaborative conditions needed for systems-based, landscape-scale responses.
Read the full evaluation on the UK National Commission for UNESCO website.

The consultation gives an opportunity for people in communities across the Biosphere to help refine these goals and ensure they reflect the values and priorities of the people who live, work, and visit here.
 
The questionnaire allows people to comment on each target and share their thoughts on the strategy as a whole. It’s open until midnight on Monday 20th October
 
Take part in the consultation here.

Charcoal can be sold to guests as BBQ charcoal, or it can be used as a soil improver – see Biochar / RHS Gardening  for further information on this.
 
If you are interested in finding out more about training or hiring the Charcoal Retort please contact [email protected] for more information as we hope to arrange additional training dates.

 
The South West is marking World Tourism Day (September 27) with the launch of an innovative initiative to help boost Devon and Somerset’s tourism industry.
 
The South West Visitor Economy Hub is a new online tool for the sector, gathering and analysing data from various sources, including accommodation providers and attractions, transport networks, parking providers, the weather, and other data providers to help measure occupancy, revenue, footfall and perceptions, faster than ever before.
 
By providing tourism businesses, Destination Management Organisations (DMOs), councils, and the wider business community with consistent, robust and valuable data insights into consumer and business behaviours, the sector will be able to monitor data on a regular basis to identify future trends and react accordingly.
 
This will improve recovery from COVID-19 and the cost-of-living crisis through more efficient targeting of marketing and product development activity, ultimately boosting the area’s important tourism sector and wider visitor business economy.
 
Created specifically for the industry, the Visitor Economy Hub is the first product of its kind and was developed by T-Stats Solutions Limited which has over 20 years experience in working closely with destination management organisations (DMOs), councils, and business improvement districts across the UK to deliver online, real-time systems enabling users to track the local visitor economy.
 
The project, procured and led by Destination Plymouth working with a number of key partners*, is funded by the former Heart of the South West Local Enterprise Partnership (HotSWLEP) through the government’s Local Growth Fund.

Richard Stevens, Chair of Destination Plymouth and former HotSWLEP Board Director, said: “It’s so exciting to see the SW Data Hub now ‘live’ and leading the way nationally after two years of working closely with our partners from across Devon and Somerset.
 
“We are grateful to the former Heart of the South West Local Enterprise Partnership Board for listening to our requests to be able to provide data on the visitor economy across the region that is accurate, real-time and can provide valuable insights for our local businesses, local authorities and tourism partnerships generally to drive growth and efficiencies in how they operate. The formal launch of the SW Data hub today marks a true milestone in how we can access information easily and dynamically, and really use it to grow the sector in Devon and Somerset.
 
“It will help everyone involved make better decisions about marketing, planning, policymaking, and investing for the future – and enhance the reputation of Plymouth and the Southwest as a highly desirable destination not only to visit, but as a superb place to live, work and study.”
 
Vince Flower Chair of Devon Local Visitor Economy Partnership and former HotSWLEP Board Director added: “This revolutionary new tool is a fantastic new resource, providing a sustainable comprehensive data and research programme to support tourism, leisure and hospitality businesses, and to help drive productivity across the Heart of the South West LEP region of Devon, Somerset, Plymouth and Torbay. 
 
“We would encourage all businesses in these sectors to sign up. They’ll gain insights into critical aspects of the business and get a current, accurate picture of the tourism landscape which all helps to improve their own economic situation.”
 
For further information on accessing and using the South West Visitor Economy Hub please visit: https://swvehub.co.uk/

 
*This partnership comprises Destination Plymouth, English Riviera BID Company, Professional Association of Self-Caterers, Somerset Council, Torbay Council, Visit Devon, Visit South Devon, North Devon Council, Torridge District Council, North Devon UNESCO Biosphere, East Devon Council, Devon County Council, Visit Exeter, Visit Exmoor and Visit Somerset.
 

Two new tourism networking events will take place across North Devon and Torridge later this year, with the aim to promote more collaborative working and introduce businesses to the latest, county wide developments within the industry.

The events are being organised by North Devon UNESCO Biosphere's Nature Tourism Officer, Sarah Jordan, whose role is funded by local government through the UK Shared Prosperity Fund. Sarah told us: "We've been working closely with the Economic Development Teams at North Devon and Torridge District Councils for several years, with one of the aims being to get tourism businesses to work more collaboratively. These events come at the perfect time, with the recent launch of the South West Visitor Economy Data Hub and the newly accredited Devon and Partners Local Visitor Economy Partnership. I'd encourage all tourism businesses to drop in to one of the events and learn more about what's happening locally and across the county."

The events will showcase the diverse range of activities and experiences available across North Devon and Torridge. This will allow other tourism providers to drop in and broaden their knowledge of what’s available in the area, enabling them to use this knowledge to entice guests to stay longer and spend more.

The Visitor Economy Hub team will be in attendance, to demonstrate their recently launched online software tool, which has which has been created specifically for tourism businesses and organisations and is the first product of its kind to bring much needed, real time data and insight to all. Plus, it’s free for all visitor economy businesses in Devon and Somerset!

“We’ve been providing our data tracking system to tourism marketing organisations and the businesses they represent for over 10 years but this new project for Devon and Somerset is really something to be proud of! A great deal of inspiring collaboration has facilitated the development of this tool, and the outcome of this insight will only foster further collaboration.
 
The system has an unprecedented amount of analytics relating to all aspects of the visitor economy; from visitor volume (footfall, car parks, visits to attractions) to accommodation occupancy, to ongoing surveys providing an understanding of the consumer demographics. Even more importantly, this data is accessible in real-time, with trackers updated within a month of the occurrence.”
Jess Watkins
Director, Acorn T-Stats Ltd

The event will also be the first opportunity for businesses across North Devon and Torridge to speak with a representative from the newly accredited ‘Devon and Partners Local Visitor Economy Partnership’ (LVEP). Launched by VisitEngland, the LVEP Programme aims to transform England’s visitor economy landscape through a new and robust structure that involves sharing priorities, resources, and targets.

"We are excited to join everyone at these events in North Devon and Torridge, as they offer a valuable opportunity to connect with local businesses and showcase the work that Visit Devon and our partners are doing to support tourism and advance the development of the new Devon & Partners LVEP.
 
Securing LVEP status paves the way for national development and marketing opportunities with Visit England, potentially unlocking future funding for key initiatives. Most importantly, it positions us as a trusted leader in the visitor economy, aligning efforts for sustained regional growth.”
Vince Flower
Chair of Visit Devon / Chair of Devon & partners LVEP
 
Event Dates and Venues
Tuesday 22nd October 2024                   RHS Gardens Rosemoor, Torrington  
Wednesday 13th November 2024           North Devon Resort, Ilfracombe             
Both events will be open 1.30am – 7.30pm for businesses to drop in at a convenient time.
 
To register your interest in these events, please complete this short web form: https://wkf.ms/3W8tLAQ or email: [email protected]