North Yorkshire's first ever county-wide tourism strategy was inextricably linked to the vibrancy of its rural areas and would provide a boost for on-farm visitor attractions.
North Yorkshire Council, a unitary authority which officially came into being this April and spans eight former council areas, has launched the No Place Like North Yorkshire visitor economy campaign.
With tourism worth 拢1.5 billion to North Yorkshire and supporting 41,200 jobs, councillors claimed the new initiative would create opportunities for farms operating in the tourism sector.
Council leader Carl Les said: "[This campaign] is interlinked with rurality and there will be opportunities for some farmers to diversify into another type of income."
Fellow councillor, Derek Bastiman, added: "It is incumbent on us to support farming in North Yorkshire and ensure they have the right employment opportunities to make the rural economy, and our rural towns and villages, sustainable in future."
The Yorkshire Dales and North Yorks Moors national parks have 'dark skies' designation due to their lack of light pollution, something officials hope will extend the tourist season into autumn and winter and could benefit those with accommodation in the more remote areas.
