In celebration of 30 years of providing inspirational, hands-on learning experiences to schools across the region, Buckfast Abbey’s Education Department will play host to a major Christian Storytelling Festival from 2nd to 4th July. Set in idyllic gardens with the magnificent backdrop of Buckfast Abbey, a working Benedictine monastery just off the A38 and within easy reach of Exeter and Plymouth and surrounding areas, the three-day extravaganza of storytelling, theatre and puppetry will include school visits on the first two days and culminate in a fabulous Family Day on Saturday 4th July...
Tourism Society Westcountry’s next meeting is on June 11th at Castle Drogo to discuss the ‘Gove effect’ and what can be done to address the huge loss of business now being seen in the region. The so-called 'Gove Effect' has had a huge impact on tourism in the Westcountry over the last 18 months, with changes to Education Regulations introduced by Michael Gove applying tighter restrictions on holidays in term time.
This has resulted in an £87 million loss of business to the visitor economies of Devon and Cornwall, stemming from families no longer booking term time trips and the...
The Devon Tourism Partnership, which promotes Devon under the 'Visit Devon' brand, is currently determining the future direction of the county’s promotion, domestically and internationally, and looking for businesses to tell them where they’d like their efforts concentrated.
The Devon Tourism Partnership is funded by the various tourism partnerships around the county and has a small budget of £35,000 pa, following funding cuts over the last few years. The Tourism Partnership receives no additional income of its own.
Victoria Hatfield, Chair of Visit Devon, said: "Visit...
South West SEO expert Martin McIver is warning businesses across Devon that unless they make their websites mobile friendly by 21 April, they could find themselves freefalling in Google’s search rankings.
The stark warning follows announcements from Google that it will change the way it ranks websites to favour those that are mobile friendly from 21 April.
For businesses reliant on tourism and hospitality in particular, this change could spell a dramatic fall in trade as tourists use mobile technology more than any other group to search for things to do, places to visit,...
A business that connects trainees from around the world with companies in Devon is expanding its work in Exeter.
The Training Partnership puts together companies with high-calibre trainees looking to improve their business skills, providing short term work placements that benefit both. Placements are supernumerary and funded through EU schemes such as Erasmus+ and PONS.
Several Exeter-based organisations are already signed up, including the blur Group, Exeter City Council and MOTO.
Now the Training Partnership, based at the Torbay Innovation Centre, is encouraging...
As Splashdown Quaywest, the UK’s biggest outdoor waterpark, readies to open its doors ahead of an exciting 2015 season, they do so with a spring in their step after being named 2015 winners at the prestigious Herald Express South Devon Business Excellence awards.
Brilliantly combining 8 fantastic flume rides and some of the English Riviera's most spectacular views, the family-favourite attraction was announced winner of the Best Tourism/Leisure Award at the glittering awards ceremony on Friday 27th March, beating off stiff competition from a host of popular local attractions...
On Thursday 26 March, people will have another opportunity to find out more about Seaton Jurassic, the new visitor centre for the Jurassic Coast.
The drop-in event takes place in Seaton Town Hall from 3pm to 6pm and will provide more information about getting involved with the centre through volunteering, supporting the wildlife garden or donating artefacts.
During the event Mike Ruiter, the new manager of Seaton Jurassic, will give short presentations on the project and information about the volunteer roles at the centre at 3pm, 4pm and 5pm. There will then be an...
In a drive to attract more business trips to the region, Exeter & the Heart of Devon, the Tourism Partnership promoting East Devon, Exeter, Mid Devon and South Devon has announced its attendance at two important international tourism conferences in February – Confex and ExploreGB.
Confex, held over two days on 18 and 19 February at Olympia in London, is a key industry event for companies involved in organising, running, marketing or selling meetings, conferences and exhibitions.
Joining forces with Sandy Park, Exeter's award-winning conference and banqueting centre and...
Exeter's famous Custom House is set to become the centre of attention once again as a visitor and interpretation centre celebrating the history of the Quay and Canal.
The landmark building, which for centuries was used to collect taxes on goods entering the city, has in recent times been not been used to its full potential or underoccupied. Exeter City Council, the owner of the building, has for some years been exploring various options for its long-term sustainable use.
Now the City Council can reveal its plans.
The Quay House Visitor Centre is to relocate from its...
Early signs of a tourism boost for the region in 2015 are already in evidence after the Exeter & the Heart or Devon Tourism Partnership celebrated welcoming its 300th member.
Bus company Stagecoach South West has joined the expanding partnership, as part of its commitment to supporting the local tourism industry.
Exeter & the Heart of Devon Tourism Partnership supports tourism businesses to promote Exeter, East, Mid and South Devon.
Victoria Hatfield of Exeter & the Heart of Devon, said: “We’re kick-starting 2015 by welcoming our 300th member, Stagecoach...
