North East Adventure Tourism | ONE

NEAT will offer adventure activities for all with an innovative and accessible range of facilities and events drawing high-spending visitors to the region while providing inspiring amenities for residents and visitors. Within five years, projects included in NEAT could add more than 300,000 visitors and 250 new jobs to the region.

By 2025, the region will be an adventure sports destination with:

• an ever-improving trail infrastructure and a nationally recognised off-road challenge making it a destination of choice for adventurous walkers and cyclists;
• a nationally significant mountain bike offer, which attracts visitors from all over the UK;
• Transition Extreme, Gravitate and Glenshee adventure destinations having distinct qualities that appeal to family groups and drive holiday choice;
• an events programme that offers unique experiences, raising awareness of the region and attracting significant numbers during shoulder seasons;
• the sector enjoying a higher profile through joined-up marketing for its broader product offer, which in turn supports a growing small business segment; and
• a growing reputation for innovation with the area seen as the right place to invest in developing adventure businesses.

A small number of significant projects have the best prospects and capacity to grow the sector. These would make up a five-year programme and create a foundation for longer-term development.

Opportunity North East (ONE) is currently leading the development of the business case for NEAT with Scottish Enterprise, VisitAberdeenshire, Aberdeenshire Council and Developing Mountain Biking in Scotland, in consultation with industry and Aberdeen City Council.