Aim:
To market the New Forest as a quality destination through co-operation with all interests, to enhance our environment and grow business.
Overview:
Go New Forest is a not-for-profit Community Interest Company (CIC) which delivers Marketing and promotional support for the New Forest destination. Our area of interest is the New Forest District Council (NFDC) boundary, including the New Forest National Park.
A main priority of our work is to protect the New Forest. We will therefore work in close partnership with New Forest Tourism Association (NFTA) and all other managing interests in the New Forest, especially the New Forest National Park Authority, New Forest District Council and the Forestry Commission to deliver our strategy.
Our Business Plan is founded on the V.E.R.B model of destination management and will build on a successful 30 year legacy of “putting the forest first” in all local tourism by championing the needs and demands of Visitors, Environment, Residents and Businesses.
The Marketing plan will inspire people to visit through evocative and engaging story-telling and to funnel all visitor interest and enquiries direct to local businesses which engage in Go New Forest’s promotional activities.
In 2015 it was estimated that tourism contributed £528 million into New Forest District’s economy and provided nearly one fifth of all local jobs. A principle role of Go New Forest is to play a leading part in helping to maintain and grow the annual value and benefits of tourism locally.
Strategic objectives (2017-2020)
- Visitor
To provide initiatives and programmes to help businesses to increase visitor spend by 3% (based on 2015 tourism data) - Environment
To work with visitors, residents, businesses and managing agencies to develop and maintain initiatives that deliver £50,000 of support for agreed New Forest environmental charities and/or project work - Residents
To engage the community to support our towns and villages through the Brand New Forest card “shop local, buy local” scheme and increase card related spending by 100% - Business
To assist tourism related businesses to deliver skills and training to 500 employees
In addition we will
- Develop and deliver an annual marketing plan – outlining all activities and resources required
- Present an annual progress report and plans for the following years’ activities
- Develop and deliver a partnership strategy encouraging all stakeholders and the wider community to work together to deliver the objectives of Go New Forest
- Ensure the long-term financial sustainability of Go New Forest through a diverse funding strategy
