Star summit could see peak visitor numbers
WALES’ highest peak could be facing its biggest-ever visitor numbers next year after featuring in a number of television shows and reports.
Almost a dozen film crews from around the UK have used areas of the Snowdonia National Park and the summit as a backdrop for their sets this year to capture the views from the top.
Among those filmed include an episode of Flog It! with antique expert Paul Martin, an ITV This Morning feature with comedian and former I’m a Celebrity contestant Joel Dommett, as well as Ellis James and Miles Jupp’s recent visit as part of a BBC series featuring their favourite places to visit in Wales.
But with many of the shows due to be aired at the beginning of next year and with visitor numbers already on the up, Snowdonia National Park Authority (SNPA) has said there is a need to manage the impacts and benefits of the increasing tourists following growing media coverage.
“Snowdonia National Park has been featured regularly on programmes all over the world and we are pleased to have worked alongside various location companies who have chosen Snowdonia and Snowdon as the backdrop or main subject for their work,” a spokesman said.
“We are aware that visitor numbers have steadily been increasing year on year on Snowdon, with almost 465,000 walking on the mountain last year, and visitors bring huge economic benefit to the area, which we estimate to be around £69m per year.
“However, this has put increasing pressure on paths, landowners, infrastructure, rescue teams and the communities of the area and therefore there is a need to carefully manage the impacts and benefits.
“That is why the Snowdon Partnership Plan has been created – it sets out how all the organisations involved will be looking after Snowdon for the future.”
The SNPA said its strategy for managing visitor numbers will be to encourage some tourists who come at high season to come at quieter times of the year and to remind people that Snowdonia has other “spectacular and challenging mountains” to explore.
“This will help spread the load, ensure that visitors have a better experience and also extend the visitor season so that we can help encourage year-round quality jobs,” the spokesman added.
“As an authority, we encourage visitors not only to return to the area, but we also remind them that Snowdonia has other spectacular and challenging mountains to walk and other activities to experience.”
Earlier this year the Snowdonia Society also raised concerns that the popularity of the mountain is having an adverse impact, particularly on footpaths, and tried to encourage walkers to explore other peaks in the National Park.