South West England launches Google based food map
February 9, 2010 by Ian McKee
Filed under South West England
Renowned for its quality local produce and award-winning restaurants and gastropubs, South West England has launched the ultimate tool for foodies – a Google-based Food Map that links regional food producers with the restaurants they supply to, and plots farmers markets and food festivals. Users of the Food Map (www.visitsouthwest.co.uk/taste) will be able to create their own culinary journey of the South West, complete with web links, addresses, driving directions, and the distance of travel between food destinations.
A tool of this kind is ideal for a gastronomic hub such as the South West; the region attracts people from all over the world eager to taste a Cornish pasty, Double Gloucester cheese, a Cream Tea, Somerset cider, Red Ruby Devon beef, and Bath’s Sally Lun Bun, to name a few. Its popularity as a top British food destination has also grown in recent years from endorsements by celebrities such as real food campaigner Hugh Fearnley-Whittingstall, Rick Stein and Michael Caines.
Kirsty Cumming, Director at South West Tourism, said: “Eating food that is grown locally is an important part of a visitors holiday in the South West and now visitors will be able to trace their appetizing meal right back to the source.”
“The Food Map is particularly useful for holidaymakers so they can plan their foodie trail around the region, by plotting their home, hotel or visitor attraction to and from the food outlets, just as they would a Google Map.”
The Food Map covers a range of food destinations across the South West, from the Michelin-starred and AA rosette holders to world-renowned brands and independent restaurants and suppliers.
At the time of launch, the Food Map includes a total of 113 sites including restaurants, gastropubs, farmer’s markets, food festivals, suppliers and producers in the South West. More outlets will be added throughout 2010 by South West Tourism and consumers may make their suggestions by contacting the tourist board through the website www.visitsouthwest.co.uk
NOTES TO EDITORS
Media contact:
Megan Whiteside
McCluskey International
Phone: 0208 237 7979
Email: megan@mccluskey.co.uk
About South West England:
South West England is the largest of England’s nine official regions and covers Gloucestershire (marketed as Cotswolds and Forest of Dean), Bath, Bristol, Dorset, Bournemouth & Poole, Wiltshire, Somerset, Devon, Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly. The South West is the UK’s leading holiday destination hosting approximately 19 million domestic overnight trips annually and an associated visitor spend of more than £3.6 billion. The region accounts for 20% of England’s domestic trips, 24% of nights and 22% of spend.
*where available
Go direct to the Food Map: www.visitsouthwest.co.uk/taste
