Visitor Experience and Tourism Consultants

Planning Solutions Consulting Limited are experts in visitor experiences. As visitor experience and tourism consultants, we work across the tourism, heritage, leisure, recreation and environmental sectors, delivering services ranging from economic and concept feasibility studies and market assessments to operational reviews, option appraisals, sustainable destination management plans, visitor management plans and business plans. Whether a project is large or small — a spark of an idea or a review of an existing operation — we are committed to delivering results grounded in detailed research and creative thinking. We work across the UK, the Republic of Ireland and Europe, and have been providing robust, independent advisory services to clients since 1995. Clients include local authorities through to National Parks, Wildlife Trusts, National Trust for Scotland, English Heritage, Historic Environment Scotland, National Trust, Cumbria Tourism, the RSPB, Forestry England and Natural Resources Wales.

Our heritage can be traced back to the holiday research division at the Rank Group (Rank Holidays and Hotels Limited), which developed Oasis Forest Holiday Village in Whinfell Forest, Cumbria — a 750-lodge resort with comprehensive central facilities, later acquired by Center Parcs.

Added Value

Our sister company Planning Solutions Limited has invested in operates a heritage centre, visitor attractions, watersports and high ropes activity offers, a hotel and brewery.  These include CONKERS Discovery Centre in the National Forest, Cotswold Country Park and Beach, Kent Life Heritage Farm, the Burton Bridge Brewery and the Royal Esplanade Hotel. From 2010 to 2022, the company also managed the National Brewery Centre (formerly the Bass Museum).

This direct operational experience gives us a genuine understanding of the opportunities and challenges involved in developing and managing visitor, heritage, tourism and leisure businesses — and brings a strong commercial realism to everything we do. Find out more about our direct operational experience here.

What Can We Do for You?

We offer realistic and robust advice, founded on experience, detailed market research, a thorough understanding of the economic context and meaningful stakeholder and community engagement. Working with both large and small datasets is central to our approach. We collaborate closely with clients to gain a clear understanding of their goals, challenges and priorities, helping them reach their potential and supporting sustainable growth.

Our offer is distinctive: a unique combination of consultancy expertise and direct operational experience. As our work progresses, we focus on building consensus and facilitating client learning every step of the way. Find out more about our consultancy services.

Looking to the Future

We operate in unpredictable times. Key trends shaping the tourism and wider visitor experience sectors include the climate and biodiversity emergencies, emerging technologies transforming the visitor experience and customer journey, and shifting demographics. Alongside these, the ongoing impacts of COVID-19 and broader economic uncertainty continue to present significant challenges — but also real opportunities.

We can help ensure your organisation is ready to respond, turning these challenges into a platform for sustainable and appropriate growth.

Our Team

Our directors and co-founders Richard Linington and Kevin Brown, offer a personal and bespoke service, assembling the right team for each project. Our specialists span research, financial modelling, market analysis, engagement and primary research and all aspects of operating visitor attractions and wider tourism businesses. Find out more about our team. Find out more about our team.