A former National Trust ranger has been nominated as "England's Tourism Superstar" after establishing her beach school on the Northumberland Coast in 2021.
Jane Dixon started Ranger Jane's Beach School in 2021 after losing her 10-year role as a National Trust ranger when the pandemic hit. Seeing opportunity in adversity when Northumberland experienced a surge in post-Covid visitors, Jane aims to help visitors rediscover open spaces and to educate and influence their behaviour.
Her 'Seashore Safari' tour objective is to connect visitors with nature and to bring compassion and respect for the secret world of rock pools using her marine biology knowledge gained from Newcastle University. Her tours aim to support sustainable tourism and youth and community groups, and assist children and adults with hidden disabilities such as autism.
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Jane has also forged links with local holiday cottage operators to provide a more complete experience for her visitors. Outside of her beach school, Jane3 has also worked on projects such as a sand art tribute to the fallen on Remembrance Day, alongside Claire Eason from soul2sand.
The 52-year-old found out that she'd been nominated for the award back in November when on holiday with her husband in Egypt. She said: "It's been quite frustrating not being able to tell anyone.
"I've had to keep quiet through all of December and January! But I'm really excited, it's a really nice recognition of what I try to do."
And though Jane's "honoured" to make the final ten, she says she's not too fussed about winning. She continued: "I'm very proud but I'm not one who has to win things, it's just nice to be recognised.
"It's not only an honour to be nominated, but also to showcase Northumberland and Seahouses specifically is a win-win. I've had some really lovely support and have had really kind words and in the financial crisis we're in, that's worth more than money - it's really heart-warming and I'm so proud."
Jane was nominated by Visit Northumberland due to "her passion for Northumberland, her sustainable and educational approach to the fantastic tourism product that she offers, and her extraordinary story that led to her start her own business." The county's tourist board is encouraging the public to vote for Jane so that she can bring the title back to the North East.
Andrew Fox, chair of Visit Northumberland, said: "Ranger Jane is an exemplary example of the fantastic people driving the tourism industry in Northumberland. Her passion for Northumberland’s coast and wildlife, along with her sustainable approach to everything she does, provides visitors with a fun and engaging experience and educates them on how to care for Northumberland’s landscape.
"To be nominated as England’s next Tourism Superstar is a monumental achievement for Jane and recognition of Northumberland’s growing reputation as a responsible tourism destination. It demonstrates the endless experiences and first-class welcome people can expect when they visit."
To vote for Jane and help her take home the title of England's Tourism superstar 2023, visit the Tourism Superstar award page on The Mirror or https://www.visitbritain.org/tourism-superstar-2023 before March 20. For vote updates and the current leaders, look on Twitter for @ TravelEdNigel @ MirrorTravel @ VisitEngland and @ VisitEnglandBiz. The winner will be announced on March 25 2023, during English Tourism Week.
Who is your tourism superstar from North East England? Let us know!
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