What do walkers want from the coast?

It’s National Walking Month this May. According to a recent survey 53.8% of the English population (23.3 million people) took part in recreational walking on a regular basis. And the coast is a major draw for walkers among both visitors and day trippers. In 2012, 30% of staying visits and 17% of day visits to the seaside included a short walk.

This is an important market sector - walking holidays are enjoyed by all age groups; younger people who relish outdoor activity and adventure, empty nesters who appreciate countryside and nature, as well as retirees wanting to remain fit and active.

We’ve produced a guide on what walkers expect from a coastal business or destination, read more here

It includes Top 10 Tips for coastal businesses and destinations:

• 1.As a B&B or hotel can you offer walkers facilities to clean their muddy boots?
• 2.Do you have a drying room so walkers don’t need to leave wet clothes in their bedroom?
• 3.Can you offer or provide facilities to make packed lunches for walking trips?
• 4.Why not keep a stock of local maps for walkers to hire, borrow or buy?
• 5.Can you offer to transport walkers’ luggage to their next destination and offer safe storage?
• 6.Could you make your café, restaurant or pub more walker-friendly?
• 7.Is your town making the most of the opportunity to promote itself as a destination for walking breaks?
• 8.Could you do more to promote walking routes and trails in your town and countryside?
• 9.Is public transport integrated with local walking routes and can walkers get to and from their walks?
• 10.Can your destination do more to promote walking festivals and events?

#NationalWalkingMonth

Image: Suffolk