Much of the work of the Yorkshire Dales National Park Authority is connected to tourism and visitor management. The Authority provides car parks, toilets, runs four National Park Visitor Centres and maintains the rights of way network in the National Park. Visitors are drawn to this unique landscape, and the money they spend plays a vital role in supporting the local economy.
Our approach to tourism is not about destination management in the traditional sense. The Tourism function is not to lead or control the wider visitor economy. Instead, our focus is on championing and promoting the special qualities of the Yorkshire Dales National Park, ensuring that these qualities are at the heart of every visitor experience.
We support tourism that delivers high-quality visitor experiences while strengthening the social and economic wellbeing of local communities. Central to this is encouraging understanding, enjoyment, and respect for the National Park’s special qualities. We work collaboratively with tourism businesses and partner organisations to help ensure a shared understanding of what makes this landscape so distinctive, and how tourism can positively contribute to both the environment and the communities who live and work here. Improving the quality, diversity, and promotion of tourism – rooted in these special qualities – is a key objective within the National Park Management Plan.
Our integrated strategy “Special Qualities, Special Experiences” sets out both our Tourism Strategy and the defining features that make the National Park so special.
Our role in supporting tourism
Our tourism work programme reflects our enabling and supportive role. It includes monitoring tourism data, business support and co-ordinating festivals focussing on the Special Qualities of the Yorkshire Dales National Park. The Authority’s Tourism Officer acts as a key point of contact for tourism businesses and others involved in the visitor economy. Through this role, we offer guidance and support – encouraging businesses to make the most of the National Park’s special qualities while addressing challenges such as seasonality. This includes promoting experiences outside the peak season, such as dark skies, local seasonal produce and celebration-based tourism.
We also provide resources for tourism businesses, including research insights, tool kits, and opportunities to collaborate with us in promoting the National Park in a way that reflects its distinctive character.
Go to our ‘For tourism businesses’ pages where you can find details of the range of support offered by the National Park Authority for tourism businesses, commissioned research to help you understand our visitors, read case studies of local businesses with inspiring ideas and learn more about the opportunities there are for working with us to help promote your business.