Tourism in the South Downs National Park

Headline facts

46.3 million estimated million estimated visitor days

£464.4 million generated

8,200 FTE jobs

Where do our visitors come from?

• 95% are domestic visitors

• 66% come from the three counties that make up the SDNP

• 81% of all visits are by day visitors

Visitor profiles

“ A typical resident who visits the South Downs for informal leisure

visits will be white British, over 45 years, will not have a health

related issue and will be from an ABC1 household ”

Group composition

How do people get here?

Why do people visit?

Top three main reasons:

1. Going for a walk (29%)

2. Visiting an attraction (19%)

3. Enjoying the view (9%)

Why do people visit?

Top three secondary reasons:

1. Getting fresh air (56%)

2. Visiting a tea-room or restaurant (44%)

3. Relaxing or finding peace and tranquility (35%)

Reasons for not visiting

1. Not having a car (27%)

2. Health issues (24%)

3. Not having enough time (19%)

Top three reasons:

Average spend of visitors

£10.94

Holiday-makers

£14.93 per day

Local visitors £5.50 per

day

Impacts of Tourism

Jobs for local people Income for the local

economy Helps preserve rural

services like buses, village shops and post offices

Increased demand for local food and crafts

Tourists mainly come to see the scenery and wildlife, so there is pressure to conserve habitats and wildlife

Stock disturbance Gates left open Ignoring Rights of Way (ROW) Cyclists riding too fast Horse riders not keeping to

ROW Litter Dog fouling Trampling and soil erosion Loss of wildlife habitats

learning@southdowns.gov.uk

0300 303 1053

learning.southdowns.gov.uk

Any questions?