Download Draft Sustainable Tourism Strategy

SUSTAINABLE TOURISM IN
THE BRECON BEACONS
NATIONAL PARK
Sustainable Development
• Economy - Environment Community
• Tourism must not destroy what
it values
SUSTAINABLE TOURISM
• Tourism is worth £130m to
the economy of the Park
• It needs careful management
• The National Park Authority
has a duty to foster the local
economy and communities.
SUSTAINABILITY CYCLE
Communities need strong economy
Environment is an economic asset
Local people and businesses can
work with the Park Authority to protect
the environment
VISITOR MANAGEMENT
• The National Park has a
Sustainable Tourism Strategy
• It has been awarded the
European Charter for
Sustainable Tourism
in Protected Areas
VISITOR MANAGEMENT
• Education, Information &
Interpretation
• Site management & wardening
• National Park Management Plan
Watersports versus Wildlife
Llangors Lake: A Case Study
Llangors Lake
Llangors Lake
Crannog – palace on the lake. Built 9th century.
Llangors: history and ecology
Glacial lake. 150 hectares. Largest natural lake
in south Wales.
‘Eco-mecca’?
Wide biodiversity.
Important wetland habitat and many
species of flowering plant life, microorganisms, invertebrates, fish and over 160
species of bird.
Llangors: recreation
Usage: 3 Caravan Parks, Pub, Shop,
Restaurant, Boat Hire, Fishing, Bird
Watching, Sailing, Outdoor Activity Centre,
Waterskiing & common land for recreation.
Llangors: conflicts
1) Power boats. Noise and boat wakes disturbs
bird and plant life.
•Decline in breeding success of Great Crested
Grebe
•Deterrent effect on visiting wildfowl
A 1961 study also suggested that propeller blades
were destroying various underwater plant species e.g.
water millfoil, which in turn supported all higher
forms of life on the lake.
Llangors: conflicts
2) Powerboats:
•disruption to other users e.g. sailing
boats, fishermen, walkers.
•potential damage to Crannog:
deteriorating archaeology.
Llangors: conflicts
3) Powerboats/ waterskiing etc:
•discharge of fuel and other forms of
pollution into the lake.
Llangors: conflicts
4)Sailing/ non-powered water sports:
•potential disruption to wildlife and
conflict over space with other lake users.
Llangors: conflicts
5) Fishing:
•may have contributed to pollution and
depletion of fish stocks (perch, roach, eels
etc – coarse fishery)
Llangors: conflicts
6) Visitors using common next to lake:
•possible disturbance of feeding wildfowl
and potential damage to nest sites. Litter.
Pollution and increase in traffic.
Llangors: conflicts
7) Other problems:
•‘enrichment’ caused by fertilisers,
promotes algae and kills other forms of
plant life.
•Sheep/cattle grazing on banks of lake can
impact on wildlife.
Voluntary Arrangements
Introduced in 1999.
•
•
Restrictions set up for certain craft
in certain areas.
Reed beds and the Crannog have
permanent restrictions in place.
Voluntary Arrangements
• Restrictions on when water skiing can
take place.
• No more than 10 water-skiers at any
one time.
• Power boats must be towing a waterskier
These arrangements have prevented the
decline of the biodiversity of Llangors
lake, especially nesting birds.
Tufted duck
Great crested Grebe