Set in the heart of England at the southern end of the Pennines, The Peak District National Park lies between Manchester and Sheffield. It covers 1438 square kilometres of breath-taking scenery from the moorlands in the north to the lush green farmland in the south. There are up to 30 million visits to the area each year- only Mount Fuji National Park has greater numbers!
The North Lees Estate illustrates the benefits, consequences and conflicts of tourism in The Peak District National Park. Most people visit the area because of the spectacular limestone scenery and tranquillity. There are also many recreational activities such as climbing, caving, hiking, bird watching or sitting in the many picnic areas.
Benefits Of Tourism
1. It�s estimated that tourism provides 500 full time, 350 part time and 100 seasonal jobs. Many other locals (not included in these figures) work in shops attracting tourists and other service industries that are related to tourism. It provides an income therefore, a livelihood for locals as they are offered the chance to open a business and earn money from tourists in the area.
2. Provides income for farmers who have established camp and caravan sites in their fields. Also to those renting out cottages and offering bed and breakfast. Some Peak District farmers can only farm because of the additional income from tourists staying on their land.
3. Provides an increasing income for local shops, which would probably have to shut if they relied on local trade alone.
4. The population of honey pot villages such as Hathersage means there is a greater level of local employment than usual for a village of this size, improving the area�s quality of life.
5. Tourism encourages the preservation of historic buildings such as North Lees Hall and redundant farm buildings, which are an eyesore, have become holiday accommodation.
Problems Of Tourism
90% of visits to the Peak District are by car. Large numbers of tourists are attracted by honey pot areas resulting in overcrowding of car parks and blocked, busy roads in villages. These are a danger to the local public. Also overstretched local facilities, particularly on hot summer days, proving both unpleasant for locals and a safety hazard.
Tourists leave paths, trampling down fodder crops which feed animals in the winter. Some climb over drystone walls and leave gates open allowing animals to stray. Tourists let their dogs run free which may attack sheep seriously injuring them. They drop litter, which injures animals and is an eyesore.
Climbers on Stanage Edge disturb a rare bird called the Ringed Ouzel. There is conflict because conversationalists want to zone areas of the cliff for climbing. The Park Authority disagree and think this would discourage climbers to the area and the tourist amenities near Stanage Edge would suffer.
Heavy use of the most popular paths in the Peak District has led to considerable erosion
In small villages locals may feel pushed out as tourist shops are the majority, with few local shops for basic services such as a butchers. The tourist souvenir stores are more profitable than everyday goods shops, therefore keeping the tourist industry active is more significant than keeping the inhabitants of the village satisfied.
Sustainable Tourism
The Park�s natural, environmental, social and economic well being have to be maintained forever at the same time as attracting tourists. This will allow the Park to be enjoyed by future generations and to ensure the local quality of life remains acceptable.
(By SOPHIE-LOUISE, who is also a contributor to the awe-inspiring MICHAEL PALIN 'rest-stop')