The Visitor Giving Forum 2012

The Visitor Giving Forum 2012 is taking place on the 17th & 18th of Oct so here at Nurture Lakeland we're busy preparing to share the secrets of Visitor Giving with other destinations across the UK. And it could not be more aptly timed. All destinations are facing increasingly difficult challenges regarding the maintenance and protection of the visitor attracting landscapes we all know and love. For years Tourism professionals have understood their role in landscape conservation and in some destinations this understanding has been extended into partnerships between tourism businesses and the conservation organisations who quietly protect the very fabric of our landscape based destinations.

Here at Nurture Lakeland, we implemented Visitor Giving back in 1994 and have continued to enjoy success despite the doom and gloom of current economic failings. To date we’ve raised £2 million pounds via Visitor Giving, providing funds for innovative projects such as ‘Fix the Fells’ and ‘Love Your Lakes’. All of the projects supported by Nurture Lakeland’s Visitor Giving members have environmental, visitor and community benefit and all beneficiaries are greatly appreciative of the additional funding the scheme provides.

Nurture Lakeland’s 18 year delivery of Visitor Giving has naturally led to the creation of Nurture Tourism, a sister organisation set up to deliver advice and support to other tourism and conservation organisations across the UK . Nurture Tourism, directed by Sue Savege, is well equipped with experience and knowledge to implement the nuts and bolts of Visitor Giving in new destinations. To complement this expansion, Nurture Tourism has developed new and novel branding of Visitor Giving to enable visitors and tourism businesses alike to connect with the scheme across a variety of destinations. The strapline ‘Visit, Give, Protect’ accompanied by a neat heart logo is gaining the attention of numerous destinations who are keen to sign up to the Visitor Giving Network to be launched at the conference.

In a nutshell the Forum will provide tourism professionals with an invaluable insight into Visitor Giving. Delivered by Nurture Tourism associates and partners, delegates will enjoy the following workshops and master classes;

-          Marketing Visitor Giving

-          How and Why Should Tourism Businesses Give?

-          The Visitor Giving Model

-          Utilising Social Media

-          Visitor Giving Technology

-          How to Select Beneficiaries

In addition to informative and interactive workshops, conference delegates will enjoy key note speakers such as Harold Goodwin from the International Centre for Responsible Tourism and reflections from other destinations supported by Nurture Tourism. Each delegate party will also be entered into a prize draw to win a free Nurture Tourism diagnostic visit, enabling your destination to benefit from bespoke, tailor made Nurture Tourism advice and support. Day two of the conferences offers the opportunity to enjoy the stunning landscapes of the Lake District National Park by visiting Visitor Giving supported projects and fundraising businesses. Delegates can book their discounted accommodation via Nurture Tourism in partnership with The Low Wood Bay. For more information please contact This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it and click here to book your forum options.