A national park is using visitor data to ensure a popular trail is sustainably managed and to allocate funding.
The South Downs National Park Authority has partnered with Place Informatics to use their visitor behaviour platform for the South Downs Way National Trail, which runs from Winchester to Eastbourne.
Its aim is to support the sustainable management of the trail, as visitor numbers continue to rise.
Data from Place Informatics shows a 15 per cent increase in visitors on the trail in 2023, compared to 2022, which equates to more than 200,000 additional users.
READ MORE: Winchester jews plant bulbs on Mitzvah Day
The data will also reveal visitor frequency, demographics and the heavily used lengths of the trail.
Clive Hall, CEO of Place Informatics, said: "We are thrilled to partner with Our South Downs and the South Downs National Park Authority.
"Our data-driven insights provide a deep understanding of visitor behaviour, allowing for more informed decisions that help balance visitor enjoyment with sustainable management."
Andy Gattiker, National Trails and Countryside Access Lead, said: "The data and insights from Place Informatics are invaluable.
"They have enabled us to make evidence-based decisions that enhance the visitor experience while ensuring the sustainability of the South Downs Way."
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here