MAKE the most of the coast.

That's the message to businesses as the Jurassic Coast Trust hosts a free event for firms at the Tank Museum, Bovington, on Tuesday, January 22.

The event will feature expert speakers from the world of tourism and business, including Stephen Darke, Head of Tourism for the Department of Media, Culture and Sport.

Places at the event are free for local businesses, with a small number of places still available.

Other speakers planned for the day include Richard Smith, Director of the Tank Museum and Board Member for the Dorset LEP, Alistair Handyside, Chairman of the South West Tourism Alliance, and Martin Cox, owner of West Dorset Leisure Holidays.

The day’s theme will focus on how the Jurassic Coast can support local businesses, and how businesses in turn can support the Jurassic Coast.

There’ll be discussions of government’s role in tourism, the latest developments in the digital tourism sphere, and how businesses can make themselves more accessible for people of all abilities.

The Jurassic Coast Trust will also be speaking about its newly-launched Jurassic Coast Volunteer Network project, and how businesses can get involved to add value to their workforce, increase their capacity, and do their part to help retain young people in the area, and offer them pathways to employment within the tourism sector.

Guy Kerr from the Jurassic Coast Trust said: “We can’t wait to welcome businesses to this event, and expect it to offer a brilliant opportunity for local companies to explore how they can get the most out of being part of England’s only natural World Heritage Site, the Jurassic Coast. We have a great line up of speakers planned, and encourage all local tourism businesses to get in touch with us to book their free places for the day.”

Businesses can book onto the event by emailing guy.kerr@jurassiccoast.org or calling the Jurassic Coast Trust on 01308 807000.