The Devon Tourism Partnership agreed in September 2015 to form a new company with the aim of promoting Devon to the domestic and international markets. Visit Devon was formed as a community interest company run by the tourism industry on behalf of the industry on the 24th March 2016. Visit Devon is not in competition with the area tourism partnerships but has been created to complement their work and to raise the profile of Devon as a destination.
Aims
The specific aims of the Company are:
· To promote Devon as a tourist and holiday destination in the UK and to overseas markets
· To provide Devon based businesses and organisations with valuable marketing and promotional opportunities
· To provide members with service and business opportunities to assist them to become more profitable and sustainable
· To act as the collective representative for tourism in Devon and to ensure action is taken to create the best environment to allow the communities’ sector prosper
· To provide research, statistics, data and market intelligence and analysis. This will be communicated to businesses and organisations in the community in order to improve their offerings and competitiveness
The board
Since the formation a board of Directors has been recruited from the Tourism Industry and its ancillaries. The Board consists of the following:
Rhys Roberts - Chairman - Best Western Tiverton Hotel
Simon Fishwick - Company Secretary
Sally Everton - Sally Everton Associates
Carolyn Custerson - English Riviera BID Company
Paul Ridgers - RH Partners
Niki Lathwell - Seaxburh Partners
Andrew Leadbetter
Josh McCarty - National Marine Aquarium
Nick Powe - Kents Cavern
Rick Turner - The Big Sheep
Stephen Walford - Mid Devon District Council
Each committee is semi- autonomous and has 4-5 members drawn from the Board plus the authority to second expertise from non-board members.
Funding
Funding has initially been provided by Devon County Council, Exeter City Council, the Area Tourism Partnerships and DATA. The aim is for Visit Devon to be fully funded by the tourism industry including the ATP’s and DATA. Opportunities for grant funding will be fully researched and pursued when appropriate.
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