Visitor Research
Visitor research, alongside stakeholder and community engagement, sits at the heart of projects we work on. As visitor research consultants, we understand the importance of robust research and consultation, and how this can help build the evidence base, enabling clients to make informed decisions. Also, when visitors, stakeholders and communities feel involved in the process, they are more likely to support it and engage with it in future.
Our visitor research and market intelligence work identifies the needs of visitors, communities and stakeholders, and sets these alongside the wider social and economic trends shaping the visitor economy. The findings directly inform the business plans, masterplans and visitor management plans we go on to produce.
Our visitor research services include:
- Primary research: Workshops, in-depth interviews and online surveys with visitors and users
- Community and stakeholder engagement: Consultation that builds local support and shapes deliverable proposals
- Audience development research: Understanding current and potential audiences to widen and diversify visitor numbers
To find out more about our market appraisal work.
Visitor research projects
Our visitor research projects (incorporating primary research) span the UK and cover a wide range of sites and organisations. Examples include a visitor and community research programme for RSPB Rainham Marshes to support a successful funding application to the Lottery, tourism business research to inform a destination management plan for Neath Port Talbot County Borough Council, visitor and community consultation to prepare a sustainable visitor management plan for Freshwater West in Pembrokeshire, and a heritage visitor research survey for the Friends of White Rock in Swansea.
Other clients we have carried out visitor research for include Forestry England, Historic Environment Scotland and Falkirk Council, Buckinghamshire County Council, Hampshire County Council, Bridgend County Borough Council and Hastings Borough Council, as well as research into the value visitors place on the coastal resort of Whitby and the needs of users of the Basingstoke Canal.
Follow the link to find out about our visitor research and community engagement projects.
What makes us different
Through our sister company, Planning Solutions Limited (PSL), we bring 30 years of direct operational experience running and developing visitor attractions, heritage sites and tourism businesses. PSL manages:
- CONKERS, a discovery centre set within 120 acres, including a covered amphitheatre
- Kent Life Heritage Park celebrating rural life across Kent
- Cotswold Country Park and Beach, a seasonal country park and watersports destination
- The Royal Esplanade Hotel, a 70-bed hotel on the Isle of Wight
- Burton Bridge Brewery and Burton Bridge Inn
- National Brewery Centre, formerly the Bass Museum, managed by PSL from 2010 to 2022
This hands-on, operational experience helps to shape how we design and analyse the research and report the findings.
How can we help?
Do you need to understand the needs of your visitors, customers or guests? If you do, please don’t hesitate to phone or email Richard Linington on 07866 742628.