www.cbuchanan.co.ukColin Buchanan

Parking and Tourism

Atholl Noon

Parking and tourism

Tourism in context

£74 billion industry 6.4% GDP 6th largest industry 8% of workforce

Parking and tourism

Domestic Tourism in UK

Trips Spend Millions £ Millions

England 121.3 20,600 Scotland 16.5 3,600 Wales 11.6 1,800 NI 1.7 400

0

20

40

60

80

100

120

140

Visitors

England

Scotland

Wales

NI

Parking and tourism

Tourist demand

1 billion day trips a year 73% by car 71% to cities/towns average stay 3.5 hours activity throughout year £400 million pa in parking

Parking and tourism

Tourist characteristics

Often unfamiliar to area Ease of use Higher spenders - £28 per visit total Higher car occupancy – 3.5 Medium/long parking duration

Parking and tourism

What do day tourists do?

Eat/drink Walk Visit friends and relatives Shopping and Visitor attraction

So issue may not just be about an attraction – rather – where is parking?

Part of the tourist experience

Parking and tourism

Tourist parking issues?

Getting to town/area Finding parking Paying Getting to destination (s) Sharp peaks - capacity problems Visual intrusion

Parking and tourism

Getting to destination

1. Decision to use a car

2. Attraction information

3. Maps/technology

4. Car park signing

5. Pedestrian signing

Parking and tourism

Information to car parks Web Brochures Atlases/ sat nav systems Signing Does signing tell a tourist where to go? What about alternatives?

Parking and tourism

Information in car parks

Where you are Where are key destinations/facilities Enhance quality (and WtP?)

Possibly BPA role in drafting ‘template’ for good info provision?

Parking and tourism

Sharp Peaks

Some you can predict, some you can’t

Solutions? Spread peaks Reduce ‘normal use’ in peak times Provide overspill

Parking and tourism

Parking and tourism

Pricing Issues

Medium stay mostly Pay and display a

problem? Some premium prices ‘Sting’ the tourist?

Parking and tourism

Parking and tourism

Visual intrusion solutions

Landscaping Park and walk Park and shuttle Park and ride Technology

Parking and tourism

Parking and tourism

Visual intrusion Technology

Parking and tourism

Getting it right

Well designed, well managed parking is:

Good for the parking provider An asset for any destination

Parking and tourism

For the parking provider

Economic benefit ‘Extra’ revenue Higher spend Maximising usage

Parking and tourism

Getting it right – to car park

On maps and sat nav systems Signed on approach roads Off-street Know which car parks are for you.

Parking and tourism

Getting it right – at the car park

Well designed – minimal intrusion Right capacity and pricing Adequate security Good info on area Good pedestrian info Sensible enforcement

Parking and tourism