The Jurassic Coast World Heritage Site shared the plaudits yesterday at the South West Tourism Excellence Awards ceremony in Torquay, along with Dorset and East Devon Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty and all other protected landscapes in the South West. Collectively, they were given the Outstanding Contribution to Tourism Award, recognising the value of our stunning and diverse landscapes in attracting people to visit and love the region.
Sam Rose and Sally King at the SW Tourism Excellence Awards on 01/02/18
The Jurassic Coast Trust, responsible from July 2017 for looking after the England’s Natural World Heritage Site, was just one of a number of representatives from the many different National Parks, AONBs and UNESCO designated Sites in the South West present at the ceremony.
Sam Rose, the Chief Exec of the Trust said: “This award is fantastic recognition for the role our nature and landscapes play in helping to keep the South West a beautiful place with a thriving tourism economy. The huge value of nature is often overlooked as these landscapes are ‘free to enter’, yet they are so often the reasons why people choose to visit, live and work here, so are major drivers in the economy. As relative newcomers, the Jurassic Coast Trust are privileged to share in the award and to be seen as part of such an incredible group of natural spaces”.
The award was presented by Alistair Handyside, Chair of the South West Tourism Alliance, small business owner and longtime supporter of the Jurassic Coast Trust and East Devon AONB. Alistair emphasised the hidden but very real costs behind looking after these stunning landscapes, and the reliance on both expertise and volunteers from all walks of life to keep them in great condition for us all and for future generations.
