Visit Exmoor appoints award winning agency to promote the area as a leading tourism destination

The Exmoor Tourism Partnership (ETP) known as Visit Exmoor has appointed Dorset based PR agency A Head for PR Ltd to promote Greater Exmoor including North Devon and West Somerset as a leading tourism destination showcasing its range of quality and sustainable experiences supporting an enhanced economy. www.visit-exmoor.co.uk

The appointment was the result of a competitive tender and Evelyn Stacey, Chair of Exmoor Tourism Partnership said, "We are really pleased to be working with Jane Adkins and A Head for PR to promote Exmoor as a great holiday destination. Exmoor has so many experiences to offer visitors with a National Park, the Quantock Hills Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty and the West Somerset Coast and we are confident that the skills and knowledge that A Head for PR bring will help us to share these special places with even more people."

Evelyn continues, "This contract will be part funded through the COOL Tourism Project*, an EU funded partnership programme that aims to promote and grow rural tourism." The ETP co-ordinates and oversees the strategic tourism priorities for Greater Exmoor, which covers Exmoor National Park, West Somerset and the Quantock Hills AONB. Its vision is that: "Exmoor will be recognised as one of the top visitor destination brands in the country, renowned for offering high quality and sustainable tourism experiences, and which is led by a successful tourism industry and supported by the community".

Based in Sherborne, Dorset A Head for PR was set up by Jane Adkins in June 2009. Jane comments, "I am delighted that Visit Exmoor has chosen to work with us and I am determined to work with tourism providers in the area to demonstrate why this area should be at the top of everyone's holiday list." A Head for PR recently received a Silver Award for its work in Travel and Tourism in the national "Best for PR" Awards and is a keen supporter of tourism in the South West having previously headed up the Visit Devon account for three years, sponsored the South West Tourism Awards and worked with a number of tourism providers in Devon, Dorset, Somerset and Cornwall.

Jane comments, "We need to be putting out a strong message to the media that this beautiful area is well and truly open for business and I am looking to work with every tourism business in this part of the country to remind people why they need to be heading to Exmoor for a short break, an exciting activity and a true holiday fix."

A Head for PR provides public and media relations, videography, journalism and corporate communications, working alongside other specialist service providers when required. The independent PR agency uses a combination of these disciplines to provide clients with targeted, results driven, public relations and media relations services.

For further press information or hi res images, contact Jane Adkins, A Head for PR, T/: 01935 813114 or E/: jane@aheadforpr.co.ukwww.aheadforpr.co.uk

For further information about the ETP, contact Dan James, Sustainable Economy Manager at Exmoor National Park Authority (DTJames@exmoor-nationalpark.gov.uk / 01398 323 665) or Robert Downes, Tourism Officer, West Somerset Council (rdownes@westsomerset.gov.uk / 01984 635 249). www.visit-exmoor.co.uk

Notes to Editors:

The Exmoor Tourism Partnership (ETP) is a virtual tourism body comprising public and private sector organisations. Partners include the Exmoor Tourist Association, Exmoor National Park Authority, West Somerset Council, North Devon + and Somerset County Council.

*The COOL Tourism Project is an EU funded partnership programme that aims to promote and grow rural tourism. West Somerset Council and Exmoor National Park Authority are working with Somerset County Council, Sedgemoor District Council, Essex, Norfolk and Kent County Council's, Visit Kent, Pas de Calais Tourisme, Somme Tourisme and Gites de France. The Cool Project has been selected in the context of the INTERREG IV A France (Channel) - England European cross-border co-operation programme, which is co-financed by ERDF.

March 2014 (VE 01)