Skip to main content
BBC NEWS / GLASGOW, LANARKSHIRE AND WEST
Graphics VersionBBC Sport Home
News Front Page | Africa | Americas | Asia-Pacific | Europe | Middle East | South Asia | UK | Business | Health | Science & Environment | Technology | Entertainment | Also in the news | Have Your Say |
UK Contents:  England | Northern Ireland | Scotland | Wales | UK Politics | Education | Magazine

Tuesday, 18 March 2008, 12:48 GMT

Gearing up park's outdoor profile

Mountain biking Cycling and mountain biking form a major part of the outdoor tourism economy in Scotland, figures show.

Scottish Enterprise estimates more than 900,000 trips to Scotland each year feature cycling as part of the holiday.

A business summit in the Loch Lomond and Trossachs National Park is seeking to find ways to boost those numbers further, and develop park activities.

It comes as park authorities and the police launch a drive to crack down on irresponsible behaviour and vandalism.

The national park is currently working to promote walking, mountain biking and sailing, with "significant investment" to boost its reputation as a family-friendly cycling destination.

THE PARK'S NATURAL ASSETS


Business leaders will hear from outdoor tourism experts from Canada at the summit.

Paul McCafferty, of Scottish Enterprise in Forth Valley, said: "Outdoor sports and activity tourism is undoubtedly an area with significant growth potential for Scotland's tourism sector.

"We are a country fortunate to be rich in natural assets such as rugged landscapes and green forests which, with careful planning, can be developed to attract more visitors and reap economic dividends.

"It is important to create sustainable projects that help to diversify and grow the economy, maximise the potential of the area and its communities and also support the growth of Scotland's priority sectors such as tourism and forest industries."

The summit is taking place in the Queen Elizabeth Forest Park in Aberfoyle.

Abandoned car

Meanwhile, police have launched an operation to cut down on vandalism and anti-social behaviour in the national park.

Operation Ironworks is being run by Central Scotland Police, with park and Forestry Commission rangers, Strathclyde Police and Tayside Police.

Sgt Joyce Greenhorn of Central Scotland Police said: "There have been problems in the past with tents, cars, BBQs and bags of rubbish being abandoned.

"Trees have even been felled in order to have a fire.

"We want people to come here and have a good time, but they need to know what they can and can't do."

Sgt Greenhorn warned that forests, roads and every accessible loch would be checked.

A Forestry Commission Scotland spokeswoman added: "We want people to enjoy themselves but unfortunately a small minority of people are committing anti-social behaviour which causes damage to the surrounding area."

The six-month operation will include officers on bikes, road patrols and trained wildlife crime officers.



E-mail this to a friend
Related to this story:
Mountain biking 'worth millions' (24 Feb 08 |  South of Scotland )
£3m scheme to study bonnie banks (04 May 07 |  Glasgow, Lanarkshire and West )
Lomond park strategy is unveiled (16 May 05 |  Scotland )

RELATED INTERNET LINKS
Loch Lomond and Trossachs National Park
Scottish Enterprise
Central Scotland Police
Forestry Commission Scotland
Strathclyde Police
Tayside Police
The BBC is not responsible for the content of external internet sites



SEARCH BBC NEWS: 

News Front Page | Africa | Americas | Asia-Pacific | Europe | Middle East | South Asia | UK | Business | Health | Science & Environment | Technology | Entertainment | Also in the news | Have Your Say |
UK Contents:  England | Northern Ireland | Scotland | Wales | UK Politics | Education | Magazine

NewsWatch | Notes | Contact us | About BBC News | Profiles | History

^ Back to top | BBC Sport Home | BBC Homepage | Contact us | Help | ©