I was pleased to have the opportunity to pay a visit to the Forest Holidays location in Cropton to find out how the company helps to bring people closer to their natural woodland heritage whilst supporting the surrounding local economy.
The Forest Holidays location at Cropton offers fifty-seven eco-cabins designed to allow the public to immerse themselves in the natural beauty of the North York Moors National Park. It provides jobs for 46 people and supports businesses across North Yorkshire by using local providers to deliver tourist activities and services, generating an estimated £1.7million for the regional economy.
It was interesting to hear how the Forest Holidays encourage visitors to experience our areas of woodland beauty and educate them about the need to protect these areas for future generations. This is our natural heritage, and we must do more to inspire people from across Yorkshire and the UK to come and enjoy the beauty of North Yorkshire’s woods and forests. With our rolling hills and dense forests, North Yorkshire is a highly desirable holiday destination. Tourism is incredibly important to our local economy, and Forest Holidays have shown how it can really benefit local jobs and businesses.”
Bruce McKendrick, Chief Executive Officer at Forest Holidays told me “I’m really proud of our achievements here at Cropton. We have a cast-iron commitment to protecting and enhancing the biodiversity of these areas. A break with Forest Holidays is centred on the peaceful environment of a natural forest setting which is rich in habitat and the wildlife this sustains. We welcome 15,000 guests to this location every year and are committed to working with the local community. This means actively encouraging guests to go out and explore the area, visiting nearby attractions and using local services.”
Forest Holidays rents the Cropton location from the Forestry Commission and works to maintain the surrounding woodland and improve biodiversity for the benefit for future generations. Forest Holidays fully support Welcome to Yorkshire’s evaluation of Cropton’s “amazing woodland” making it an “ideal base for adventures”.