South West Coast Path is the thread linking tourism gems

The South West Coast Path has been celebrated as a vital link between South West businesses at an event held at the Nare Hotel in Cornwall.

The event, which took place on 30th January, highlighted the excellent revenue the Path has generated for the tourism sector and also launched the South West Coast Path Association’s 2014 fundraising event - the Great South West Walks.

It was announced at the event that during 2012 the Coast Path had 8.6 million users across the South West which have generated around £436m to the area, an increase of almost 15% in the past three years - helping support 9,771 full-time equivalent jobs.

It also plays a key element in tourism in the South West, being the most important economic asset in Cornwall.

Attendees of the event included representatives from the National Trust, Cornwall AONB, VisitCornwall and Cornwall, Devon and Dorset Councils, as well as the South West Coast Path Association and the South West Coast Path Team.

Alongside presenting key data about the revenue and economic value of the Path, the event also gave speakers the chance to share personal stories and memories - outlining their love of the South West Coast Path.

Toby Ashworth, proprietor of the Nare Hotel, described the relationship between the South West Coast Path and the businesses that benefit from it as a beaded necklace – as each bead is linked to the next via the thread that is the Coast Path.

Toby commented: “The South West Coast Path is so important to the tourism industry as, for many businesses in the South West, the views from the coast and the outstanding beauty that surrounds it is a vital selling point. This is why it is fantastic that we have an opportunity to work together through the Great South West Walks and link tourism businesses together with this unique asset.”

This was reinforced by Nigel Pickin, Proprietor of Cornish Cottage Holidays, who shared his personal link to the Path - having grown up using it in St Ives, he now enjoys walking the Coast Path with his own family.

Other speeches were made by: Mark Owen, National Trail Officer for the South West Coast Path Team; Andrew Lack, Chairman of the South West Coast Path Association; Councillor Edwina Hannaford, Environment Portfolio Holder for Cornwall Council; Alex Raeder, Manager of the specialist conservation team for the National Trust; and Ken Carter, Chairman of the Great South West Walks 2014 and Special Project Manager for the South West Coast Path Association.

Ken was delighted with the support that the launch event received and highlighted how important it is to continue working together: “Everyone has their own reasons for loving the South West Coast Path – it really is the thread that brings tourism business together in the South West. The Great South West Walks 2014 will enable businesses and individuals to put something back into the Path. With the public sector’s declining support it is more important than ever that we raise the profile and money needed for improving the Path.”

The Great South West Walks 2014 aims to secure £250,000; with £125,000 through sponsorship from individuals and businesses, alongside £125,000 of matched funding through statutory grant making organisations.

This money will fund 50 improvement projects across the entire 630 miles of the South West Coast Path, to be completed by Autumn 2015.

For further information and to sign up for the event please visit www.GreatSouthWestWalks.co.uk  you can also follow the event on Twitter @LoveSWCoastPath or Facebook/SouthWestCoastPath

If you would like to find out more about the work of the South West Coast Path Association, or if you are interested in helping the Coast Path without taking part in the Great South West Walks, visit www.southwestcoastpath.org.uk

For further information about the income the South West Coast Path brings to the South West, please see the 2012 key findings summary created in January 2014 on the South West Coast Path Team’s website.