Visit South Devon appoints acting general manager

Visit South Devon has announced the appointment of Sarah Stride as acting general manager for the next 12 months. Sarah takes over the post from Stephanie Cherrett, who is taking adoption leave for the coming year.

Stuart Longrigg, Chairman of Visit South Devon, commented: “Stephanie has been a great asset to us over the past four years. She has helped establish the organisation as a successful Community Interest Company, and has spearheaded a number of campaigns that have raised the profile of South Devon regionally, nationally and internationally.”

Stephanie’s responsibilities will now be taken on by Sarah Stride (formerly Streeter), who worked for Visit South Devon when the Area Tourism Partnership was first established. Sarah rejoins the Visit South Devon team having lived and worked in Perth, Western Australia for the past five years.

“Sarah brings with her a detailed understanding of the tourism sector, destination marketing and Visit South Devon in particular, which means that she can quickly and effectively step into the role” added Stuart.

“It’s great to return to an organisation that is proving such a success at driving interest in South Devon and demand from tourists,” said Sarah. “2015 was a bumper year for us with visitors to www.visitsouthdevon.co.uk up more than 20% on 2014, having received in excess of 810,000 site visits over the past twelve months. This was achieved through a range of email marketing campaigns, competitions, social media campaigns, event promotion, PR activity and the publication of our highly popular brochure.

“In 2015 visitor numbers to www.visitsouthdevon.co.uk rose by 135,000; in 2016 we aim to build on this momentum with a series of exciting new campaigns that will generate even greater interest in South Devon, funnelling business and bookings to our many advertisers.”

Visit South Devon is funded through money raised from adverts taken on the site by tourist attractions, activity based businesses, accommodation providers, and providers of hospitality. The site, which appears as the top search result for places to visit, things to do and places to stay in South Devon, provides an affordable portal through which visitors can book B&B, hotel, guesthouse and self catering accommodation. It also provides comprehensive information on destinations to explore as well as places to dine, eat and drink, enabling visitors to build up an itinerary of things to do while on holiday in South Devon.

For more information on Visit South Devon visit: www.visitsouthdevon.co.uk

Visit South Devon is the official tourism body for the South Hams and Teignbridge; an area which encompasses some of the region’s most dramatic and breathtaking countryside as well as miles of captivating coastline characterised by iron rich ruby red beaches in the North and sweeping sandy and shingle beaches in the South. From Teignmouth to Torcross and from Shaldon to Salcombe, this enchanting part of the world welcomes thousands of visitors every year introducing them to the delights and discoveries of this beguilingly beautiful part of the world.

Visit South Devon works with tourism businesses and attractions in Teignbridge and the South Hams to help raise the profile of the area as a destination for both national and international visitors. Its aim is to increase the number of visitors to South Devon for the benefit of the local tourism economy.

Visit South Devon is a Community Interest Company that exists solely for the benefit of the local tourism community. It is a public-private company limited by guarantee and not for profit – ensuring all revenue is put back into marketing initiatives for the area.

Visit South Devon’s website www.visitsouthdevon.co.uk appears in the top search results for places to visit, things to do and places to stay in South Devon. It provides an affordable portal through which local tourism attractions, food and drink and accommodation providers can promote their businesses. Visitors can book B&B, hotel, guesthouse and self catering accommodation directly through the site. The website also provides comprehensive information on destinations to explore as well as places to dine, enabling visitors to build up an itinerary of things to do while on holiday in South Devon.

For more information about Visit South Devon, go to www.visitsouthdevon.co.uk or contact acting General Manager, Sarah Stride Tel: 01626 215293.