Crealy boss talks tourism at Council meeting

Crealy Great Adventure Park Managing Director, Angela Wright presented a tourism update to Directors, Councillors and Officers of East Devon District Council at their Overview Committee Meeting.

The Managing Director of Devon’s largest visitor attraction was invited to the meeting to talk about the future of tourism in 2009 and onwards, in both East Devon and across the county.

Angela Wright is a central figure in Devon’s tourism sector as founder and one of the founding family owners of Crealy Great Adventure Park. During Crealy’s 20 years as a leading visitor attraction, Angela has been involved in the development of tourism across the South West region and the UK, through her involvement on the Management Committee of the British Association of Leisure Parks, Piers and Attractions, the establishment of Visit Devon destination management organisation and current position as Chair of the Devon Association of Tourist Attractions.

Angela was invited to talk about the region’s vital tourism industry by East Devon District Council’s Corporate Directors for Economy and Development. Presenting with Angela, was Nicola Poultney, Chief Executive of Visit Devon, the county’s destination management organisation, who confirmed to the Council that East Devon is the second highest district within Devon regarding numbers employed through tourism. Ten percent of tourism businesses in Devon are in East Devon, with over 100 already members of the newly-created Visit Devon.

Angela Wright, MBE, Managing Director of Crealy said, “I was delighted to talk to East Devon District Council about the future of tourism here in the UK’s favourite holiday destination. East Devon is one of the county’s most popular tourism areas with its exceptional environment and well maintained beaches, towns and countryside.”

“Tourism is vitally important to the county, generating £2bn annually to the local economy and supporting over 40,000 jobs. Tourism in East Devon alone is worth £250m each year, with 8,500 jobs – that’s 17% of employment – supported by tourism.”

A report, produced by Deloitte this winter reveals that the total economic contribution of the Visitor Economy to Britain is £114 billion, or 8.2 per cent of total GDP, demonstrating the vital role that tourism and leisure plays in Britain as a whole.

Angela continues, “Crealy warmly welcomes the creation last year of Devon’s destination management organisation, Destination Devon Ltd and Visit Devon, which exist to strengthen Devon’s position as the UK’s primary holiday destination, renowned for our warm welcome and unsurpassed quality of life.

“For every £1 invested in destination management promotions, £20 is generated in the local economy. Visit Devon’s £150,000 campaign “Love My Devon” is off to a great start and we are all very excited to see the impact this will have on the visitor numbers this summer, which along with the raising of standards within the county will grow our visitor numbers and spending whether on world-class holidays, short breaks, day trips and business tourism.”

For further information about Crealy visit www.crealy.co.uk and to find out more about Devon tourism visit www.visitdevon.co.uk.

(Ends)

Notes to Editors:

Crealy is giving Free Family Days in 2009, with 7 days entry for the price of 1 for all guests, giving maximum family value alongside the famous guarantee of maximum family fun. Twenty Magical Adventures commemorate the 20 years of operation, 1989-2009, for this family-owned business dedicated to extending the joy of a country childhood, promoting understanding and respect for animals and the environment, encouraging safe adventurous play.

Crealy Great Adventure Parks are the South West’s favourite family attractions. The award-winning Parks were first established in 1989 by Angela Wright, MBE and her family, as a recreation of her country childhood. Angela was raised at Hayes Barton in East Devon, the birthplace of Sir Walter Raleigh. She grew up with an understanding and respect for animals and farming together with a strong sense of the importance of adventurous play. The Parks’ mission is Maximum Family Fun Guaranteed and the essence is to make the most of the fleeting childhood years. The Parks are family-owned and operated, second only to the publicly funded Eden Project in visitor numbers within the South West of England.

Devon’s Crealy welcomes up to 500,000 visitors every year, with El Pastil Loco Coaster, Tidal Wave log flume, Queen Bess Pirate Ship, Techno Race Karts, Miniature Spotted, Shetland and Dartmoor Ponies, 75,000 sq. ft. of indoor play and 100 acres of countryside to explore,all within six Realms of magical adventures. New for 2009 is Go WILD! – a high level play area set within the unique Dina’s Lost World.

Cornwall’s Crealy is home to Cornwall’s Heavy Horse Centre. This former silver mine is located between Padstow and Wadebridge, within sight of the sea, and attractions include the Raging Rivers WaterCoaster, Thunder Falls log-flume, Viking Warrier Pirate Ship and Pony Express Ride and the country’s biggest outdoor adventure zone, all within Six Realms of Cornish magical adventures. The BEAST Lives On in 2009 – Cornwall’s wildest ride.

Family time is always Maximum Funtime Guaranteed at Crealy Great Adventure Parks in Devon and Cornwall, the favourite family days out in the South West of England.

The Parks each have six unique areas of magic and adventures, nature and animals, action and heritage, full of real magic and safe adventures, featuring log flumes, coasters, pirate ships, miniature ponies and heavy horses, go karts. Indoor and outdoor play zones, majestic falcons and baby animals.

The best days are Crealy days – the greenest, cleanest, happiest, tastiest, funniest family adventures and always best for value too. Family owned and operated since 1989. Crealy is the first visitor attraction in the world with the aim of being carbon neutral by 2010 and holds the Green Tourism Business Scheme Silver Award.

Known as both the friendliest and the best-value Parks in Devon and Cornwall, over 10,000 local people are Crealy Members. The Parks have on-site five star holiday accommodation too, with more planned.

Location Message: Crealy Great Adventure Parks are easily found, located just minutes from major routes yet nestled in outstanding countryside and near beautiful beaches. Road links are excellent, with Devon’s Crealy being served by public transport every 30 minutes. Buy your Park tickets online and Crealy plants a tree for you, offsetting your travel impact. Newquay and Exeter airports are only minutes away and have daily links with an increasing number of airports around the UK. For more information visit www.airsouthwest.com and www.flybe.com.

There’s so much to enjoy when you holiday or live in beautiful Devon and Cornwall but best of all is maximum family funtime at Crealy Great Adventure Parks, the most memorable, friendliest family destinations in the south west of England. Visit www.crealy.co.uk for all the inside information.