TOURISM in Okehampton has boomed this summer, with a 40% increase in holiday accommodation bookings on 2010.

Okehampton Tourist Information Centre has reported the increase, welcoming a significant number of visitors from France, Germany, Italy and the Netherlands.

The centre, in the Musuem of Dartmoor Life courtyard, is open Mondays to Saturdays, 10am to 5pm, and is managed by West Devon Borough Council.

As well as providing a local and national accommodation booking service, the centre also stocks local books, maps and a wide range of free information.

Hazel Hunt, Okehampton tourist information officer, said: 'People are gradually beginning to realise that Okehampton is a fantastic, central location.

'We have an abundance of natural beauty spots in the area, as well as nationally recognised heritage attractions including the English Heritage owned Okehampton Castle, and nearby National Trust properties like Castle Drogo, Finch Foundry and Lydford Gorge.

'Okehampton is particularly popular with touring visitors as it's a convenient place to explore the moor and coasts.'

Cllr Robert Oxborough, chairman of West Devon Borough Council's environment and community committee, said: 'The performance of the staff at the tourist information centres shows that they are totally committed to delivering excellent services for visitors and locals alike. The borough council is committed to sustaining and improving our TICs for the benefit of the West Devon economy.

'Tourism is a massive part of our local economy and the money spent by visitors trickles right through our local business system, benefitting not only front line tourism businesses but many other retail and service enterprises as well.'

Mark Poole, owner of Meadowlea Guest House, Okehampton, said: 'Okehampton TIC is a valuable resource to the town, it's a real draw. We've hardly had a spare room in June.

'We have had lots of German and Dutch visitors who stay for quite a few nights touring Dartmoor and the South West.

'They'll often drive down to Land's End for the day and come back to us in the evening. It's because Okehampton offers such easy access to the A30.

'There are more cyclists this year too as Route 27 (Devon Coast to Coast) is a big attraction with its off road paths and beautiful scenery.

'Part of the Granite Way route is just 500 yards up the road, so we get leisure cyclists, as well as hardcore cyclists stopping off on their way from John O'Groats.

'This type of business is really important to us, and we hope it continues.'

For more information about tourism in and around Okehampton, contact the Okehampton Tourist Information Centre on 01837 53020, e-mail [email protected]">[email protected] or visit http://www.okehamptondevon.co.uk">www.okehamptondevon.co.uk