Jurassic Coast Trust collects ‘Outstanding Contribution to Tourism’ award for being part of the team that brought ‘Dippy to Dorset’!
The Jurassic Coast Trust are delighted to be part of the team that brought ‘Dippy to Dorset’ and who took the accolade of ‘Outstanding Contribution to Tourism’ award which was announced at the Dorset Tourism Awards at The Lighthouse in Poole on November 8th.
The Dorset Tourism Awards, which is in its 6th year, hosted its largest awards ceremony to date, an event which celebrates the best of Dorset tourism. The awards also act as a route for Dorset businesses to compete in the South West and national Visit England awards.
Dorset Tourism Awards headline sponsor and award category sponsor, Saffery Champness Chartered Accountants presented the award to the team. Saffery Partner Nick Fernyhough advised, “This award could not have gone to a more deserving winner and we are delighted to be able to acknowledge, reward and celebrate the successes of the ‘bring Dippy to Dorset’ team. The team is led by Dr Sam Rose from The Jurassic Coast Trust and Dr Jon Murden from Dorset Museum. Together, along with their dedicated teams, they put together the bids and programme that has really put Dorset on the map for visitors this year and brought together over 200 additional volunteers across many different businesses to bring a ‘once in a lifetime’ experience to our County.”
Nick continued, “With a staggering 153,000 visitors to the museum’s exhibition in just under three months and an Outreach programme run by the Jurassic Coast Trust that also reached over 20,000 people, it brought a visitor spend of £2.2 million that contributed over £1million in added value to the local economy.
“Working hard with the Dorchester BID and Brewery square to name but two, this team ensured that the visitors they attracted had the opportunity to extend their stay and bring further benefits to the local cafes, restaurants, pubs and attractions. They engaged local schools, worked with national & local media, offered intensive accessibility, health & safety and customer service training to hundreds of volunteers – the impacts are far reaching, and still continue today. We offer our huge congratulations to the team on their tremendous achievements.”
Dr Jon Murden of The Dorset Museum advised, “We are absolutely staggered and amazed to win this award. We are honoured as a team to be recognised in this way. We couldn’t have done it without the Jurassic Coast Trust and The National History Museum in London – it’s been a nationwide effort. We are extremely proud of our achievement. Doesn’t it just show you how much people love dinosaurs too!”
Collecting the award on behalf of The Jurassic Coast Trust was Senior Programme Manager, Lucy Culkin who enthused, “I am extremely delighted but very surprised! I feel incredibly proud to collect this on behalf of our team who have worked so hard to make Dippy’s stay on Dorset and East Devon’s Jurassic Coast, a phenomenal success. It has been a huge effort by everyone involved and has achieved a massive impact on visitor awareness for the Jurassic Coast World Heritage Site.”
Lucy Culkin and Helen Stiles from Jurassic Coast Trust and Jon Murden from Dorset County Museum.
