241122Paper5ActiveCairngorms

This document contains an active Cairngorms and end of season visitor report for the Cairngorms National Park (National Park). Prepared for the Board on 22 November 2024, it provides an overview of the Active Cairngorms Action Plan, which complements the Sustainable Tourism and Strategic Tourism Infrastructure Plans. The report highlights the progress of the plan's objectives, particularly concerning nature, people, and place, and outlines the roles of the Park Authority and partner ranger services in managing visitor activities during the summer season. The board is asked to note the progress towards delivery of the plan and the visitor focused activities by the Park Authority and partner ranger services during the 2024 summer season. The plan aims to make the National Park easier and safer for people to enjoy and includes the progress of managing for visitors, minimising impacts on sensitive species, ranger services, public health, volunteer Cairngorms, youth and outdoor learning, and paths, trails and outdoor access duties. In the summer of 2024, the Park Authority employed 11 seasonal rangers and four trainee rangers in addition to the five permanent rangers and also supports 14 ranger services with consistent training and messaging.