27/10/13

DORSET LEP PROUD TO SUPPORT COUNTY’S TOURISM INDUSTRY

Last night, the Dorset Local Enterprise Partnership recognised the outstanding contribution made to the county’s visitor economy by The Eastbury Hotel of Sherborne, by awarding it the Dorset Tourism Awards “Winner of Winners” accolade.

Presenting the Award, Dorset LEP’s Board Member for Tourism, Bruce Grant-Braham paid tribute to the hotel’s track record of excellence and quality.  He said:

“The Eastbury Hotel has for many years exhibited excellence and consistency, making it exceptionally worthy of the Winner of Winners title."

12% of Dorset’s workforce is directly employed in the Tourism sector, which annually brings in £1.5 billion to Dorset’s economy.

The Dorset LEP formally recognises the contribution Tourism makes to the county’s prosperity and quality of life.  As well as Bruce Grant-Braham,  Board Members also include  James Weld of the Lulworth Estate, and Geoffrey Smith from Bourne Leisure, owners of Rockley Park – Poole’s largest single holiday accommodation provider.

The 160 attendees at the Dorset Tourism Awards heard from Bruce of the significant progress being made by the Dorset LEP in helping to further grow the county’s tourism industry.  After consulting with the trade across the county, the LEP committed to support the targeting of incoming visitors through Bournemouth Airport and the growing cruise market calling at Poole and Portland Ports.  To that end, a pan-Dorset Destination Management Organisation (DMO) is being created, and a Destination Management Plan (DMP) being developed.  This is significant because it will lead to the DMO being formally recognised and supported by VisitEngland. 

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