New Forest Tour shortlisted for global tourism award

Oct. 10, 2012 - PRLog -- There were over 1,600 nominations this year that were whittled down by a carefully selected panel of industry experts.

David Harrison, Lead Member for Transport at the New Forest National Park, said ‘The New Forest Tour partners are delighted to be shortlisted for such a high profile award. The Tour plays an important role in reducing the impact of traffic and transport on the special qualities of the National Park and provides a memorable experience for thousands of customers during the summer months. I am delighted that the growth and on-going success of the Tour has been recognised in this way.’

The hop-on, hop-off Tour is the perfect way to experience the spectacular views on offer in the New Forest National Park. It has two interchangeable routes which include national attractions, towns and villages.

In 2011 the New Forest Tour saved over 147,000 private car miles and its customers generated a contribution of nearly £500,000 to the local economy.

Its popularity has led to the 2012 operation being extended through to 14 October.

The Awards will be presented on World Responsible Tourism Day at the World Travel Market, London on Wednesday 7 November at 10.30am where the overall winner and the winner and highly commended for each category will be revealed.

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About the New Forest Tour

The New Forest Tour is a partnership between Bluestar, Wilts and Dorset and the New Forest National Park Authority.
Numbers have increased from 9,000 passenger journeys in 2006 to nearly 34,000 in 2011.

For more information visit about routes, ticket options and timetables visit www.thenewforesttour.info.

About Virgin Holiday Responsible Tourism Awards
The Virgin Holidays Responsible Tourism Awards were founded in 2004 to celebrate the most inspiring stories in responsible tourism. Organised by responsibletravel.com and sponsored by Virgin Holidays, we work with Metro, World Travel Market, International Centre for Responsible Tourism and Geographical Magazine(the official magazine of the Royal Geographical Society) to celebrate and inspire change in the tourism industry.

Innovation can happen anywhere, from the smallest niche company to the largest mainstream multinational. This is reflected not only in our winners, but in the diversity of our category sponsors, Gibraltar Tourist Board, Johannesburg Tourism, KwaZulu Natal, Oman Ministry of Tourism, Rainbow Tours, Slovenian Tourist Board, Tourism Authority of Thailand, Tourism Fiji, Trinidad and Tobago Tourist Board, Visit California, Visit Norway, Wightlink.

About the New Forest National Park Authority
Protect - Enjoy - Prosper
The New Forest National Park Authority’s statutory purposes are to:
■ Conserve and enhance the natural beauty, wildlife and cultural heritage of the Park - Protect
■ Promote opportunities for understanding and enjoyment of its special qualities – Enjoy.

We also have a duty to:
■ Seek to foster the social and economic well-being of local communities within the Park – Prosper.

The New Forest National Park was designated in March 2005. Its unique landscape has been shaped over the centuries by grazing ponies, cattle and pigs which roam free. Majestic woodlands, rare heathland and a spectacular coastline provide fabulous opportunities for quiet recreation, enjoyment and discovery.
Visit www.newforestnpa.gov.uk to find out more.

Media Contacts:
Karen Evans-McDaid, Communications Officer, New Forest National Park Authority
Tel: 01590 646650
Email: karen.evans-mcdaid@newforestnpa.gov.uk.