Charlotte Fernández
UKIMEA Press Office,Leeds
The Arup report 'Valuing Wales' National Parks' shows that the economic contribution by Wales' parks is £1billion.
The report was commissioned by National Parks Wales, the WLGA and Natural Resources Wales, to determine the economic contribution of Wales’ three National Parks – the Brecon Beacons, Snowdonia and Pembrokeshire Coast.
The study revealed that the National Parks collectively provide £1 billion of goods and services every year. They also employ 30,000 people of which 38% are specifically employed in the environmental services. The parks attract 12 million visitors each year and are home to eight of the 50 most visited attractions in Wales.
The study was formally launched by John Griffiths, the Minister for Culture and Sport, on 13 November in Cardiff Bay.
“We needed to understand the full economic, social and environmental value of these outstanding national parks. To do so we had to move beyond indicators such as employment and Gross Value Added (GVA) that could not capture the true value on their own. We had to incorporate a much wider ranging analysis including the valuation of natural capital, eco-system services and subsequent health, well-being and social benefits. The report gives an invaluable quantifiable insight into the tangible economic benefits of the parks. Simon Power, Associate Director
The study also explored the wider importance of the Parks as communities and destinations. The park areas are home to 80,000 people and are visited by three quarters of the population of Wales each year.
The report is available to download from the National Parks Wales website.