Dippy in Dorset crowned tourism champion

Dippy may have moved to the next stop of his national tour, but he has certainly left a lasting memory in Dorset.

The Museum was able to celebrate the phenomenal success of the 21-metre-long and 4-metre-high diplodocus skeleton again last night, as they were awarded ‘Tourism Event of the Year 2018’ at the annual ceremony which recognises the best of Dorset tourism.

In recognition of the partnership that brought Dippy to Dorset, Dorset County Museum and the tour’s partner Jurassic Coast Trust were awarded a surprise trophy for ‘Outstanding Contribution to Dorset Tourism 2018’.

Jon Murden, Director of Dorset County Museum said, “We are delighted, and still a bit overwhelmed, to have been awarded both the ‘Tourism Event of the Year’ and the overall ‘Outstanding Contribution to Dorset Tourism’ for Dippy on Tour at Dorset County Museum.

“I am incredibly proud of the team at the Museum and the army of Dippy volunteers who worked so hard to achieve the impossible. Dippy on Tour in Dorset broke all records and exceeded all expectations. Receiving these awards is a fantastic recognition of the efforts of our team and the work of the Jurassic Coast Trust to bring this unique ‘once-in-a-life-time’ event to Dorset.”

The Natural History Museum’s Dippy the Diplodocus delighted 153,189 guests during its stay in Dorset contributing an estimated £2,250,000 to the local economy. Around 25,000 people across the southwest adventured on their own Dippy-themed natural history adventures from geological walks to art days organised by the Jurassic Coast Trust.

A record 72 trophies were presented to tourism businesses from across Dorset at the 2018 Dorset Tourism Awards dinner, held at Lighthouse, Poole’s Centre for the Arts on Thursday 8th November with guest speaker impressionist Debra Stephenson.