02 Welcome & Introduction
03 Speaker Biographies 06 Article 1 – Growing Outdoor Recreation through the downturn Jerome Mayhew, Managing Director, Go Ape How is it that Go Ape’s most financially successful years have occurred during the current recession? This article looks at the organisation’s key responses to the downturn and will explain how various aspects of Go Ape’s business model have allowed it not only to survive but to prosper.
09 Article 2 – Growing Rural Tourism and the Outdoor Economy Lyndsey Swift, Head of Strategic Partnerships, Visit England This article draws on the latest national trends, sets out the challenges and opportunities for the outdoor economy to grow and contribute to the growth of the wider visitor economy, and highlights the good work internationally and locally to ensure this opportunity is realised.
13 Article 3 – Future Funding Opportunities Ruth Coulthard, Funding Development Manager, Brecon Beacons National Park This article offers an insight into the Walkers are Welcome concept – an innovative community-led scheme which gives communities a framework to deliver an excellent walking product to visitors to their town, and a badge with which to market it.
16 Article 4 – The role and significance of the outdoor economy for delivering growth and jobs Neil Ravenscroft, Professor of Land Economy, University of Brighton Using a number of case studies in the UK and elsewhere, this article introduces an alternative, associative approach to developing sustainable outdoor economies that deliver jobs and growth.
20 Article 5 – Welcoming Walkers – using the Walkers are Welcome model to help grow the outdoor economy Pippa Langford, Programme Manager – Delivery Improvement Programme, Natural England Comprehensive article outlining the future funding picture for rural businesses, paths and infrastructure
23 Article 6 – Economic Impact of Mountain Biking in Scotland Graeme McClean, Project Manager, Developing Mountain Biking in Scotland Article presenting the journey which Scottish mountain biking has travelled to become a key sector for economic growth in Scotland. From the realisation of the importance of Outdoor recreation brought about by Foot and Mouth to the creation of the 7stanes trail centres, through to the world’s first strategic framework for mountain biking and the creation of a national project.
26 Article 7 – How can the public sector help stimulate economic growth. Case Study: The Helix, Falkirk Richard Millar, Head of Enterprise, Scottish Canals Two hundred years ago, the Scottish Canals were a powerhouse of the Industrial Revolution generating huge wealth for the few but contributing to some serious social problems for the many. Richard’s article explains how these same canals can and have been revitalised and reinvented. Catalysts for innovative and ambitious projects, they help create new economic growth and positive social and environmental change across Scotland in harmony and equal measure. 29
Article 8 – The economic value of outdoor recreation in Northern Ireland Mike McClure, Outdoor Recreation Development Officer, Sport Northern Ireland – based on the conference presentation by Chris Gratton, Professor of Sport Economics and Director of the Sport Industry Research Centre (SIRC), Sheffield Hallum University. This article outlines the results from a recent study which utilized the National Income Accounting approach to estimate the economic benefits of the Outdoor Recreation Sector in Northern Ireland. 32
The Outdoor Industries Association (OIA) attends the CRN conference 33
Conference Workshop Feedback Session 35
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