Be happy in the Yorkshire Dales

A new free guide has been produced as part of a project aimed at boosting tourism, crammed with ways to feel happier and healthier in the Yorkshire Dales.

Called the Yorkshire Dales Guide to Health and Happiness, it is available as a book and an e-book from www.dalesdiscoveries.com and is full of suggestions and things for visitors to do in the stunning landscape.

The project was developed by Dales-based marketing company TheTourism Network with the help of a £6,500 grant from the Yorkshire Dales National Park Authority’s Sustainable Development Fund.

Susan Briggs, Tourism Network owner, said: “I wanted to develop a campaign aimed at specifically marketing and raising the profile of the Yorkshire Dales.

“I worked with over 200 Yorkshire Dales businesses, looking at what makes them happy and what are the stand-out “wow” moments they enjoy in the Yorkshire Dales. We're using both iconic and lesser known attractions to attract new visitors to the Dales, particularly stressed city-dwellers who'd like to feel happier and healthier. This is part of an on-going campaign, aimed at particularly boosting off-peak business.

“The National Park's special qualities are central to the campaign, which we're promoting through social media with the help of around 200 local businesses.”

A new website – www.dalesdiscoveries.com – was created as the main site for all the activities and information. It also included details of a Dales Discoveries Treasure Hunt, which took place in the summer and focused on the special qualities of the Yorkshire Dales National Park. Its aim was to encourage visitors to slow down and explore more off the beaten track to discover new places.

The YDNPA’s Member Champion for Promoting Understanding, Judith Donovan, CBE, said: “One of the main purposes of the National Park Authority is to promote opportunities for visitors to enjoy the special qualities of the National Park, support our tourism businesses and boost the visitor spending in the Dales.

“This project has been a great success in terms of bringing tourism businesses and visitors together.”