Adventure Tourism Consultants: Strategy, Business Planning & Destination Development

Working as adventure tourism consultants

With over 25 years of experience, the team has been involved in designing and delivering a range of services to the public, private, and charitable sectors, and in researching, developing, and growing adventure tourism products, services, and experiences. Our work has demonstrated that the key to success is the ability to respond to destination opportunities, making use of new technology and developing products that build on natural assets and meet the needs of the market.

Alongside our consultancy advice in the adventure tourism sector, our sister company manages a number of tourism businesses, including CONKERS, a 120-acre discovery and activity experience in the National Forest, the Cotswolds Country Park and Beach, a rural watersports and activity destination alongside a hotel. This ensures our advice is also reinforced by direct experience managing successful tourism businesses.   This helps bring a strong sense of commercial realism to our adventure and activity tourism projects.

Some of the adventure tourism services we offer include:

Adventure Tourism Destination Making and Strategic Development

Developing strong and distinctive destinations in terms of their brand and product offerings is critical to increasing visitor numbers and encouraging greater participation in adventure tourism. Developing adventure tourism destinations is a complex process and requires buy-in from a range of stakeholders and the host community to help deliver a sustainable solution. Our approach is to ensure that destination and place-making projects are based on a detailed understanding of existing visitor trends (and future forecasts) and community aspirations.

We recognise the importance of sound analysis and strategic planning, which inspire and create solutions. Our strategic work is founded on the principle of basing decisions on practical, measurable actions. It is important to ensure that strategies are supported by available funding. We have developed a range of engagement techniques to ensure that stakeholders, partners and the local community are actively involved in strategy and policy development.

• Cumbria Tourism: Advised on the strategic development of their adventure tourism product across the county, which includes the Lake District National Park
• Monaghan County Council: Prepared a development study to support the growth of outdoor recreation and eco-tourism at Sliabh Beagh
• North Wales Tourism Partnership: Produced the destination and tourism strategy for adventure and activity tourism in North Wales.

Market Appraisal

Future development decisions need to based on market evidence. We continue to analyse market trends and issues in the adventure and activity tourism sectors and carry out forecasting from the macro to the micro level. Our tourism market intelligence service provides a robust assessment of the market from both the supply and demand side.  This also includes a detailed analysis of the residential population base living within specific drivetime contours of sites.   Our market research and analysis allows clients to make decisions which are informed by a detailed understanding of market conditions. We also conduct primary research and stakeholder and industry consultations.

• Bridgend County Borough:  Carried out a module of primary research to identify accommodation needs to support the sustainable development of activity tourism within the County Borough, with a particular focus on surfing and other watersports
• Doug Rose Smith Leisure Consultants: We carried out a study for a new watersports centre, the Cremorne Riverside Centre,  which is located adjacent to the River Thames
• Local Authority: Carried out an assessment to introduce accommodation linked to an activity centre

Product Development

We have significant experience in developing new, innovative products to meet market demand. Product development work is based on identifying the wider trends in the marketplace and the specific needs of end users.    Our work in the adventure tourism sector has included identifying the needs of mountain bikers and other activity tourists

• Blackburn with Darwen Borough Council: Carried out an assessment of potential trails usage to support the development of a network of new walking and cycling trails
• Chichester District Council: Prepared a regeneration plan and strategy for Selsey East Beach Seafront, which included a dive centre and restaurant alongside commercial fishing uses
• Natural Resources Wales: Prepared a visitor experience masterplan for Afan Forest Park, a mountain biking destination, including advising on delivery and future governance options

Feasibility Studies and Business Planning

We are able to take a project from conception through to completion, including assessing the viability of taking forward a particular adventure tourism project and developing a business plan which can be used to support funding applications. Our business plans are based on core research, financial modelling and analysis and our work has been used to support funding applications.

• Forestry England: We carried out a feasibility study to develop the offer at Bedgebury National Pinetum and Forest, including introducing a visitor centre, walking and mountain biking trails, alongside supporting visitor infrastructure to increase market appeal and access. We also advised on operational considerations
• Hampshire County Council: Carried out a feasibility study at Calshot Activity Centre, a residential centre, advising on income generation opportunities
• Hartlepool Borough Council: Carried out a feasibility study to develop a watersports centre with residential accommodation as part of a wider coastal regeneration project
• Redcar and Cleveland Borough Council: Completed a market demand assessment and feasibility study to identify market interest and the financial viability of developing a Coastal Activity Hub
• Telford & Wrekin Council: Carried out an operational review and prepared a business development plan for Arthog, a residential outdoor and education centre
• Thanet District Council: Feasibility study in respect of developing a water sports beach club, as a base for local clubs, incorporating a catering offer and visitor accommodation

Find out more about some of the specific adventure tourism projects we have worked on here.

Our approach

We offer quality research-based advice to clients across the UK and internationally on all aspects of adventure tourism. All our work is guided by a number of important working principles:

• Independence and objectivity
• ‘One-team’ approach
• Market realism and understanding consumer behaviour
• Inclusivity and consensus building
• Robust and prudent financial assessment

How can we help?

If you have any questions or would like to discuss our work within the activity and adventure tourism sectors, please don’t hesitate to call Richard Linington on 07866 742628 or email richard@pslplan.co.uk