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]

“This award recognises the unique Natural Capital assets that are within the biosphere designation.  These include part of our treasured National Parks, some of the most important agricultural assets within Devon and a huge marine area which includes the Isle of Lundy.  Within this, there is a population of nearly 200,000 people all of whom have a relationship with the Biosphere but deserve to participate in this opportunity to improve their economic and social wellbeing.” Added Tim Jones – Chairman, North Devon Biosphere Foundation.
 
“This award is the result of an inspired contribution from the project team.  In recognition of the quality of the proposition, the funding secured is the largest grant to have been awarded in the Country for a “Green Programme”.  It is our biosphere’s ambition to be the lead for Natural Capital activity, regionally, nationally and internationally, this award is a significant step forward in this journey.”
 
The North Devon UNESCO Biosphere’s CRF programme has two linked elements - the Green Biosphere, focused on woodland, regenerative agriculture and agritech; and the Blue Biosphere focused on offshore wind, aquaculture. marine biodiversity and ‘blue carbon’. Both elements have strong skills development and job creation elements as well as plans to redirect private investment into the area.
 
The programme will offer solutions for economic development and raising wellbeing for local communities through innovation projects in nature – on land and at sea.
 
With 70% of Devon’s graduates leaving the county to find better employment elsewhere the CRF money will offer young people exciting job opportunities which will in turn help  protect the local rural and coastal way of life AND address regions net zero ambition.
 
Devon’s richness will be translated into economic prosperity that addresses the climate emergency - including the incredible place we live
 
"It is excellent news that northern Devon’s £1.3 million Community Renewal Fund bid for the Blue & Green Biosphere Natural Capital Accelerator Bid was successful.” added Selaine Saxby, MP for North Devon, “This project will seek to enable a further £50 million of private sector investment into our environment and potentially create up to 1300 new jobs by 2026. I am confident that we can back up this positive announcement with further investment in North Devon in the future.”
To find out more about the work of North Devon UNESCO Biosphere and its trading arm the Biosphere Foundation please head to the website: https://www.biospherefoundation.co.uk/
 
Editors Notes:
The North Devon UNESCO Biosphere is a UNESCO protected area because of its unique ecosystem. The area covers 30% of Devon and extends 12 miles past Lundy island into the Bristol channel. It is one of 730 Biospheres globally, that together cover 5% of the earth’s surface and are home to ¼ billion people.
 
The Biosphere Foundation is the non-profit trading arm of the Biosphere focused on testing and proving new nature-based economic models and then scaling them regionally, nationally and even internationally
 
The UK Community Renewal Fund is a UK Government programme for 2021/22. This aims to support people and communities most in need across the UK, to pilot programmes and new approaches to build community resilience and prepare for the UK Shared Prosperity Fund. It invests in skills, community and place, local business, and supporting people into employment. 
 
Who: Delivery partners:
Rothamsted Research,
Marine Institute, The University of Plymouth
Vivid Economics
Torridge District Council
North Devon +
The Lundy Company
The Devon and Severn Inshore Fisheries Conservation Authority
Devon County Council
One Northern Devon
Plastic Free North Devon
 
 
 
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