A WEST Dorset businessman has been named the new president of a European holiday parks body.

Martin Cox, director of West Dorset Leisure Holidays, will preside over more than 20,000 holiday park businesses across Europe.

Fellow members of the European Federation of Campingsite Organisations and Holiday Park Associations (EFCO&HPA) voted Mr Cox into the body's most senior role. The election took place at the body's general assembly in the central Portuguese city of Viseu and Mr Cox will serve as the federation's president for two years.

Holiday parks of all types and sizes are represented by the federation, and Mr Cox believes that their co-operation at a European level helps to ensure fair treatment for member businesses.

He said: "Right across Europe, holiday parks welcome millions of visitors each year and make a massive financial contribution to regional and national economies.

"This fact is recognised by the European Commission as well as the EU Parliament, and is the reason why the voice of EFCO&HPA is both respected and heeded.

"Member parks share the collective aim of providing good value and high quality holidays, and our success in doing so sustains many thousands of direct and indirect jobs.

"The federation's work helps to safeguard everybody's interests, and also creates a pan-European

platform on which members can share new ideas and initiatives."

Mr Cox's family business was established 45 years ago and now comprises five multi-award winning holiday parks in the county - included Highland End at Eype, Graston Copse near Burton Bradstock and Golden Cap. Some of the business' holiday parks now offer glamping pods - while some lodges offer views of the Jurassic Coast.

As president, Mr Cox will play a key part in helping shape tourism and job creation policies affecting holiday parks in membership of national trade associations across 22 EU countries.

He will also help steer the federation's lobby work with the European Commission which aims to ensure the sector's interests are taken into account during decision-making processes.

Mr Cox will be supported in his role by the federation’s vice president, Linda Gedink of Luxembourg, and by the retiring president, Guylhem Féraud of France.

Martin is a former national chairman of the British Holiday and Home Parks Association, and currently serves as one of its vice presidents.

For more information on the federation, please visit efcohpa.eu