How do National Parks support sustainable tourism?

Tourism is an important part of the rural economy and our National Parks support sustainable tourism by welcoming, educating and managing millions of visitors.

For example, Loch Lomond & Trossachs National Park plays an important role in the experience of millions of visitors to the National Park each year through its investment in visitor sites and hubs, support for outdoor learning, investment in digital technologies, ranger services and investment in the Park’s recreational facilities and path network.

In Cairngorms National Park, visitor numbers have risen from around 1.4 million in 2003 to 1.73 million in 2022, with a total of £353 million being generated within the local economy in 2022 through visitor and tourism related business expenditure. Tourism accounts for around 60% of the economy in Cairngorms and over 40% of employment. This brings opportunities for local communities and businesses, including farming businesses that wish to diversify and benefit from the tourism economy.