A PACKAGE of emergency measures to boost Exmoor's tourism hopes are being drawn up by industry chiefs amid concerns over this year's holiday season. The area's profile is to be raised in a South West Tourism autumn campaign with Exmoor at the front of a poster, newspaper, magazine and advertising campaign. In addition, linkages between local and regional tourism websites are to be improved, along with communications between local providers and their national counterparts. South West Tourism will also give Visit Exmoor greater support in attracting European and Government funding - the partnership between the local tourism industry, the Exmoor National Park Authority and West Somerset District Council, has been struggling to secure grant aid to employ a full-time manager. And there will be new efforts to set up festivals and events in a bid to attract more people to the area, in particular during the 'shoulder' months of the season, which is expected to suffer a decline in numbers in the wake of the hunting ban. The new measures follow a meeting between local industry leaders and South West Tourism chief executive last Friday, which, as reported in last week's Free Press, was called to flag up fears over the lack of visitors. Dr Brian Martin, Visit Exmoor chairman, admitted the situation was patchy and some attractions and providers were doing reasonably well. But he said serviced accommodation seemed to be suffering more than self catering outlets and many providers across the board agreed that visitors were simply not spending as much as in previous years. "There is no doubt that this is a national problem, not helped by the cost of living, cheap flights, the terrorist attacks and the fact that people are tightening their belts," said Dr Martin. "But this area is so reliant on tourism that it is something that needs to be addressed." Statistics given to last Friday's meeting show that in Porlock alone pre-booked accommodation was down by 36 per cent between January and July this year, compared to 2004. Overnight stays dropped by 43 per cent over the same period, while the value of bookings plummeted by 41 per cent. And the number of people coming through the door of the village's hugely successful and well-run visitor centre is 11 per cent down on last year. Dr Martin said those attending the meeting, who included national park officer Dr Nigel Stone, district council leader Cllr Steven Pugsley, Exmoor Tourist Association chairman Antony Brunt and other Visit Exmoor directors, had been very pleased with the response from Mr Bell. "It was very positive. We have always had a good relationship with South West Tourism, which has been very supportive to Exmoor. "With this additional help, it is now up to us to make things happen."