The past year has been extraordinary – and for many of us life-changing, and often more about survival than simply delivering excellence.  But throughout it all a new force has emerged for tourism across the South West – a force that has dedicated days, weeks, even months to help tourism businesses in the region.

This force has:

• Lobbied government for rule changes, tax changes, more support, clarifications and funding
• Lobbied your MPs and twisted dozens of arms to get behind this region’s top industry
• Engaged with ministers to present the case for tourism and what it brings to the region and country
• Involved the region’s LEPs and Councils to get behind us
• Liaised closely with DCMS and government departments to inform and educate them
• Undertaken research to inform everyone of the impacts of COVID and the industry’s requirements
• Communicated, communicated and communicated – at all times doing the utmost to make sure this industry has stayed aware of a constantly changing environment and the daily rule changes

It has not just lobbied, but has seen success too!  I am personally convinced that ‘the force’ was instrumental in such changes as:

• The changing of social distance rules from 2 to 1 metre
• The reduction in VAT from 20 to 5%
• The additional grants to businesses that were excluded from the first tranches of support
• Increased payouts from insurance companies

‘The force’ comprises a group of tourism leaders who have met online every week, or at least every fortnight, for over a year – with huge amounts of work going on between meetings.   It has seen dozens of people involved at different stages – you’ll know who you are – with its most regular and active participants being:

• Amanda Lumley, VisitPlymouth
• Alistair Handyside, PASC and SWTA
• Malcolm Bell, VisitCornwall
• Sally Everton, VisitDevon
• Carolyn Custerson, English Riviera BID Company
• Becky Davies, Torbay Development Agency
• Emma Thomasson, VisitExmoor
• Giles Adams and John Turner, VisitSomerset
• Martin Cox, Dorset Tourism Association

‘The Force’ has recently morphed into a body referred to as ‘The Great South West Tourism Partnership’ and are recipients of this year’s South West Tourism Outstanding Contribution to Tourism Award.