Sustainable tourism

We welcome around two million visitors a year. Over half of those visitors, and two thirds of international visitors, say that National Park status is an important influence in their decision to visit. However, it’s crucial that visitors don’t undermine the very things that attract them in the first place - landscapes, wildlife, culture and tranquillity. 

• A tour of The Cairn Distillery Steve Campbell

  

  
• Skiers being towed up the slopes on Cairngorm Mountain Kenny Lam / VisitScotland

  

  
• Loch an Eilein picnic Mark Craig

  

  

European Charter for Sustainable Tourism in Protected Areas 

Since 2005, shortly after the area was designated as a National Park, we have been accredited with the European Charter for Sustainable Tourism in Protected Areas, a practical management tool that enables National Parks and other protected areas to develop tourism sustainably based on five principles: 

• Giving priority to protection
• Contributing to sustainable development
• Engaging all stakeholders
• Planning sustainable tourism effectively
• Pursuing continuous improvement

Every five years we submit a new Sustainable Tourism Action Plan, along with our National Park Partnership Plan, and details of tourism delivery over the previous five year period. This is assessed by a panel of experts and includes a verification site visit. We were most recently accredited in 2023.

Cairngorms visitor survey 

We commission regular research to help us understand what motivates people to visit the area and what their experience is when they are here. 

Visitor survey results

Visitor survey results 2024 - 2025

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This document contains a findings report from a visitor survey conducted by MEL Research for the Cairngorms National Park Authority between May 2024 and April 2025. The survey aims to understand visitor demographics, experiences, and satisfaction levels within the National Park, which is the UK's largest national park. Data was collected via face-to-face interviews and, for a trial, an online survey, although the online data wasn't included in the report due to concerns over its representativeness. Key objectives include monitoring visitor profile changes, understanding accommodation and travel experiences, and identifying variations among visitor subgroups. The report highlights visitor origins, motivations, activities undertaken, transportation methods, and opinions on park facilities, with most visitors being highly satisfied with their experience.

Please be aware that this summary has been generated using AI.

Visitor survey results 2019 - 2020

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This document contains a final report about the Cairngorms National Park Authority Visitor Survey from 2019-2020, conducted in June 2020. The aim of the survey was to understand visitors to the Cairngorms National Park in terms of their profile, visiting behaviour, and visitor experience. Data was gathered through face-to-face interviews with visitors and residents at key locations in the Park over 11 months. This data, pertaining to the 11 months from May 2019 to March 2020, was then analyzed and compared with previous visitor surveys. The survey looked at visitor demographics, motivations for visiting, the types of trips visitors took, and visitor satisfaction, providing recommendations such as improving public transport connectivity and digital connectivity across the Park.

Please be aware that this summary has been generated using AI.

Economic impacts of tourism 

We commission annual analysis of visitor numbers and the economic value of the visitor economy to the Cairngorms National Park.

Summary of data from 2013 - 2024

Cairngorms National Park STEAM infographic - 2024

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This document contains a summary of the strong tourism performance in Cairngorms National Park during 2024, which showed significant recovery and growth. Visitors made 2.5 million trips to the Park, a notable increase from the previous year with growth heavily concentrated in the off-peak winter months. People staying overnight, for an average of 2.8 nights, and day visitors both contributed to a total of 4.8 million visitor days and nights. This activity helped generate an impressive £491 million for the local economy and supported over 6,291 full-time equivalent jobs, showing a healthy boost from 2023. Overall, visitor numbers, economic impact, and jobs linked to tourism all saw positive growth, highlighting the vibrant visitor economy of the Cairngorms National Park.