For many years, East Devon's picturesque countryside and breathtaking coastline have been top national attractions. However, it is now more crucial than ever to collaborate together to preserve its charm and safeguard the area's natural resources.
Coast and Country is a joint tourism initiative by five towns in East Devon:
Together, they are developing a sustainable visitor road map to provide mindful options for accommodation sightseeing and dining throughout the region, highlighting the many local businesses leading the way in making planet-friendly changes. The project aims to support a connected tourist economy that is sustainable, inclusive and accessible for all, where the benefits of toursim and actively caring for our unique natural environment are felt by residents and visitors alike.
A leader in sustainable tourism
Supported by East Devon District Council's Innovation and Resilience Fund, the group is collaborating in a project that endeavours to make the region a green leader. To guide their efforts, they are using the Travel Foundation's Tourism Recovery and Resilience Framework which is a tested approach used in various locations worldwide.
Seeking to empower local businesses by providing them with training, mentoring and guidance, the ultimate aim is to enable these businesses to maximise the advantages of visitors to the area while reducing their ecological footprint.
Changemaker Champions
There are many businesses identified as already implementing sustainable practices and these have been awarded the status of Changemaker Champions. The initiative believes that these Champions can help lead the way to green success for East Devon by actively promoting best practices. By proactively advocating to foster sustainability and accessibility, the aim is to strive towards establishing the region as the premier year-round tourist destination in Devon.
Get involved
If you are a local business that embodies a sustainable ethos, you can get involved!
In appreciation for your participation, you will be featured on the sustainability pages of Visit Sidmouth and the recently launched tourism sites for Budleigh Salterton, Seaton, Honiton and Ottery St Mary. These websites build upon the proven success of Visit Sidmouth which achieved more than 1.5million page views in 2022. Our partner businesses will also enjoy a range of benefits including:
Mentorship and support
Sustainability training and guidance from industry leaders
Networking with other environmentally friendly businesses
Support in decreasing carbon footprint and other environmental goals
Access to a suite of sustainability resources
Visibility and recognition
Digital promotion through destination tourism websites
Social media promotion in the form of videos, interviews and case studies
Green credentials to use in your marketing and storefront
Recognition as a leader in green tourism in East Devon
In June 2023, Coast & Country delivered an exciting Tourism Sustainability webinar in partnership with The Travel Foundation. The session demonstrated how local businesses can adopt sustainable practices to help strengthen and future-proof themselves to gain a competitive advantage. View a recording of the webinar below, and join the initiative to transform East Devon into a leader in sustainable tourism.
East Devon Tourism Strategy
“As owner of a new glamping business in East Devon, I found Coast and Country’s Tourism Sustainability Webinar to be a really great help in providing lots of simple ideas to enhance the sustainability of our operation. Inspired by the webinar, we now offer special hampers of locally-sourced produce. It gives our guests an authentic taste of beautiful Devon produce, directly supports local farms and producers, helps reduce car journeys by our guests, and generates additional revenue for our business.”
Are you a local business owner in East Devon who is passionate about creating a sustainable future for our community? Do you want to make a positive impact on the environment and the community and lead the way in sustainable travel that benefits your home-town, its residents and visitors? If…
