Sustainable Tourism Project

The North York Moors Sustainable Tourism Project (STP) began in October 2002 following the confirmation of £1.2 millions of funding from European Regional Development Fund Objective 2, Yorkshire Forward, the Regional Development Agency for Yorkshire and the Humber and the North York Moors National Park Authority. The National Park managed the STP through the appointment of a bespoke Project Team for 2 years and 1 month until the end of December 2004. The Project was to develop and promote tourism across the North York Moors area in a sustainable way, to yield benefits for the local economy, environment and resident communities.

Project Aim:

"To create and enhance sustainable employment linked with locally appropriate tourism and develop market potential for tourism businesses based on the unique environmental and cultural qualities and assets of the North York Moors National Park and Heritage Coast".

Project Objectives:

"To stimulate new market potential and business development through sustainable tourism initiatives;

to improve and provide new infrastructure and enhanced village facilities in support of tourism business development;

to develop an area wide identity based on the emergent sub regional brand.

The £1.2 million Sustainable Tourism Project finished with spectacular results. 15 new jobs were created, 43 businesses signed the Sustainable Tourism Commitment, 288 miles (464 km) of routes were created or improved and we received 56,000 hits on the Moor to Sea cycle route website www.moortoseacycle.net

Wildlife webcams were installed to help visitors view wildlife from the comfort of their own homes. A new website www.outdoormoors.com promoting outdoor activities across the North York Moors was launched in partnership with Ryedale District Council and Scarborough Borough Council. The project involved the organisations promoting the area under a new joint tourism brand - North York Moors: where heather moorlands meet the sea.