BBC Coast series wins coveted tourism award

The BBC Coast Series was awarded the 2007 Tourism Society Award at the 30th Annual Dinner on 18th October hosted by Lord Thurso MP in recognition of its contribution to tourism promotion.

The Award, given to organisations or individuals that have made an exceptional contribution to the development of tourism in the United Kingdom, was presented at the Society’s Annual Dinner at the House of Commons by Society President Lord Thurso MP FTS.

Chris Wikeley FTS, Tourism Society Board Member who nominated the series said, “My fellow board members and I recognised that this programme did a great deal to promote the UK and its attractions thus stimulating the wish to travel within our own country and so support the tourism industry. It is doubtful that any of the tourism agencies could afford the cost of the prime time TV that is available to the tourism industry through a programme such as Coast.”

Series Editor Gill Tierney on receiving the award commented “this is a tremendous honour for Coast. Our mission was simple; to celebrate the extraordinary diversity of our coastline and the incredible stories it has to tell. I think we just reminded people what it means to be an island nation.

“Coast Series 1 travelled round the entire coastline of the UK in 13 episodes while two further series of 8 programmes each explored further a field, including the Republic of Ireland and many Scottish Islands.”

The series can be viewed via Bbc.co.uk/coast/.