A vision's been drawn up to make Dawlish a top visitor destination, as Covid restrictions end and 'staycation' holidaymakers head for the UK's coasts.

Local residents and businesses will be encouraged to give their feedback on the town council's draft tourism strategy, which takes a realistic look at what the parish has to offer and the areas where it needs to make improvements.

The strategy document quotes the latest available tourism figures, dating from the Dawlish Tourism Survey 2017, which underline the importance of the visitor trade to the parish - comprising Dawlish, Dawlish Warren, Cockwood and Holcombe.

They record 84,000 'staying visitor' trips, 494,000 day visits, and a direct visitor spend of £37.2millon – with 970 jobs supported by visitor-related spending.

The tourist industry, the document says, 'makes a significant contribution to the retention of services, the viability of businesses and the conservation of tradition and heritage, as well as keeping communities vibrant and enticing places to live and work'.

The initial six to 12 month action plan

The council recognises that the Covid pandemic has hit Dawlish's shops and hospitality venues hard, and wants to help them make the most of the opportunity to reopen and welcome visitors back.

It plans to work with the Chamber of Trade and other businesses on ideas such as tackling the lack of coach parking near the town centre, starting a Farmers' Market and creating a more vibrant night-time economy.

There's also a proposal for a trial scheme introducing 'Black Swan Guides' to meet and greet visitors.

It's hoped that the Love Dawlish and Love Teignmouth websites will be revived, with the associated social media presence. This is part of an overall boost to digital marketing – which includes making the most of the 'trail-blazing' promotion of Dawlish by the Beach Cams and Black Swan Cam.

'Green tourism' opportunities will also be identified, in conjunction with local organisations.

Longer term proposals

Over the next two years, the plans include completing the 'Flagship Playpark' at the Manor and the Trail around the Lawn. The council hopes to examine all the existing tourism signage, such as the Heritage Trail and Brunel Trail, and seek funding to repair or replace it. New storyboards on the new sea wall could be installed, as the project nears completion.

Further ahead, there could be 'round robin' boat trips between Exmouth, Dawlish Warren, Dawlish and Teignmouth, and moves to attract more visitors to Cockwood Harbour and the Smugglers Lane and beach.

The council hopes to work with Teignbridge District Council and other organisations to bring about improvements at Boat Cove, a new town bandstand, a large indoor children's play area and free night-time parking to encourage more evening visitors.

What are the immediate next steps?

Dawlish Town Council unanimously approved the draft Tourism Strategy document at its meeting on Wednesday, March 3, and agreed to put it out to public consultation. After the responses have come in, a final version of the document will go before the full council in April. The plans in the document will then be put into action, with regular reviews of the strategy and the effects of the actions taken.