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South Downs brings major boost to tourism industry

National parks help to boost local economies, according to a new review of the Brighton and Hove economic strategy.

Tourism generates an estimated £464.4m every year for the Brighton and Hove economy, and supports more than 8,200 jobs across the South Downs national park.

These findings have come out of the first visitor survey since the South Downs became a national park in April 2011.

A large proportion of companies in the area said the national park is beneficial to business, while 90% of residents said the park has improved their health and sense of well-being.

The park also hopes to expand its tourism industry by encouraging visitors to stay in South Downs hotels, rather than travelling from a distance for the day, after 46.3m visitor days were spent in the Downs in 2011/12.

Margaret Paren, Chair of the South Downs National Park said: “It is very important that we balance raising the profile of the South Downs to support the local economy with encouraging people to visit sustainably and reduce their impact on the landscape.”

The park currently attracts the third largest visitor spend of all 15 UK national parks, behind the Lake District, which makes £952m each year, and the Pembrokeshire Coast, which makes £498m.

It also holds 380 commercial accommodation business, 119 tourist attractions and over 400 other businesses.

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Miranda Dobson .