The National Forest is inviting business visionaries to help shape the future of its sustainable tourism accommodation.
The charity is inviting conversations with companies passionate about sustainability to help capitalise on its high demand for tourist accommodation.
Their 200 square mile area spans parts of Leicestershire, Derbyshire, and Staffordshire and attracts more than 8.2 million visitors annually, contributing £576 million to the local economy.
Demand for accommodation in the Forest presents an excellent opportunity for developers, investors and agents to develop sustainable, accessible breaks.
The National Forest has now announced the ‘matchmaking’ phase of its groundbreaking Sustainable Tourism Accommodation Accelerator Programme, offering developers, operators, investors, agents, designers, and manufacturers the opportunity to meet landowners actively looking to establish tourist accommodation.
Analysis indicates a shortage of non-serviced tourist accommodation in the area, with current occupancy rates exceeding the national average.
For the past 30 years, the National Forest has transformed from a post-industrial landscape, scarred by the legacy of coal mines and clay pits, into a thriving habitat enriched with more than 9.5 million trees.
Its central England location means that more than 70% of the UK population are within a three-hour drive time and more than 10m people are within a 90-minute drive, making it a popular destination for mini breaks and staycations.
Adam Gough at Forward Land, the agent overseeing the process on behalf of the National Forest, said, “Working with local authorities and regional bodies across the UK, I can say that the support and ambition provided by the National Forest to their landowners is truly unique and one that local authorities are looking to replicate.
“They have laid the foundation by encouraging positive, sustainable planning policies. This was followed with an outreach programme to support landowners in the development of their ideas for sustainable accommodation.
“Now the National Forest is taking another bold step by instigating conversations with a wide range of leisure entities for the benefit of the landowners within the National Forest. This level of support for its partners is testament to the ambitions and commitment to the vision for the National Forest.”
Richard Drakeley, tourism development manager at the National Forest, emphasised the importance of partnerships in achieving the Forest’s tourism goals. “We’ve identified potential development sites across the Forest including sites owned by private land and woodland owners who are seeking collaboration partners, as well as sites owned by us.
“In less than 30 years, the National Forest has transformed a declining industrial landscape into a vibrant destination, driven by the simple belief that life is better with trees. It is already a success story for the Midlands, but our aspiration goes further. We want the National Forest to be enjoyed, recognised, and celebrated as a landmark sustainable tourism destination, responsive to the urgency of climate change and a flagship for the nation.
“More recently, the Forest has actively supported private land and woodland owners to bring forward exciting sustainable tourist accommodation development proposals, and has collaborated with local planning authorities, to publish a pioneering Sustainable Tourist Accommodation Design Guide outlining seven key principles for tourist accommodation development.
“If our vision for sustainable tourist accommodation resonates with you, we invite you to get in touch with us and explore how we can work together to create a positive future – a future that’s better with trees.”
Anyone interested in learning more about the opportunities and the investment prospectus are invited to have an initial conversation with Adam Gough by email at adam@forwardland.co.uk.
