The Camel and Tarka Trails

Evidence from the UK of the economic benefits of cycle tourism

Richard WestonInstitute of Transport and Tourism – UCLAN - UK

Institute of Transport & Tourism, UCLan, UK

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Institute of Transport & Tourism, UCLan, UK

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Tourism impacts

• Cornwall – resident population of approx 500,000 – 5m tourism visits annually – supporting 63,000 jobs – 29% of total employment

• Devon – resident population of approx 1,000,000 – 8m tourism visits annually – supporting 81,000 – 16% of total employment

Institute of Transport & Tourism, UCLan, UK

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Institute of Transport & Tourism, UCLan, UK

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Camel Trail

• Original railway built in early 1830s• Opened in the 1970s by local authority as a

footpath (Wadebridge to Padstow – 8km)• Unauthorised use by cyclists in early 1980s• Extensions to Bodmin and Poley’s Bridge/

Wenford Bridge• Now approximately 28km in length• Around 250,000 users (cyclists) each year

Institute of Transport & Tourism, UCLan, UK

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Institute of Transport & Tourism, UCLan, UK

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Institute of Transport & Tourism, UCLan, UK

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Tarka Trail

• Began life as the Taw/Torridge Country Park, again predominantly as a footpath

• Became the Tarka Trail in 1994• A 48km stretch, between Braunton and Meeth,

finally opened to cyclists in 1997• Around 120,000 users each year

Institute of Transport & Tourism, UCLan, UK

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Where does the demand come from

From analysis of the case studies and other evidence the primary factors that determine recreational and tourism demand are:• The proximity of population near to the route;• The extent to which the route is traffic free;• The imagery or appeal of the route;• The ease of access to the route or network;• The quality of trail: upgraded facilities, lack of steep gradients and good surfaces.

Institute of Transport & Tourism, UCLan, UK

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Cycle tourism demand

• The proportion of recreation and tourism users averages 59% of all trips in the UK.

• However, there is greater use by cyclists for recreation and tourism purposes in rural locations, typically around 70% on rural tourist trails.

• A survey on the Camel Trail estimated this to be as high as 97%.

Institute of Transport & Tourism, UCLan, UK

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Where does the spending go?

• Food and drink- Cafés/Public houses/Restaurants

• Accommodation- Bed & Breakfast/Hotels/Camping/Bunk-barns

• Cycle hire- Less successful in the UK

• Transport• Gifts

Institute of Transport & Tourism, UCLan, UK

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Economic impact

• On the Camel Trail the local authority estimate the direct spending to be €3m

• This may be a significant under-estimate ( could as much as three times this)

• Direct spending support over 60 local jobs + others from indirect and induced effects

• Anecdotal evidence of higher local multiplier from cycle tourism

Institute of Transport & Tourism, UCLan, UK

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Conclusions

The Camel and Tarka Trails both have:• Large holiday populations near to the route;• Predominantly traffic free;• Pass through pristine countryside with changing

landscapes;• Access directly from local towns;• The gentle gradients and good levels of

maintenance.