Tourism in Peak District & Derbyshire Hits New Heights with £3.58 billion boost to local economy

Tourism in the Peak District and Derbyshire continues to thrive, with new STEAM (Scarborough Tourism Economic Activity Monitor) figures for 2024 revealing a record £3.58 billion contribution to the local economy – a 9.1% increase on 2023, or around 6% in real terms, when adjusted for inflation.

The latest data highlights the growing strength and resilience of the area’s visitor economy and highlights the significant impact of Visit Peak District & Derbyshire in its role as the region’s Local Visitor Economy Partnership (LVEP), with its value-over-volume approach driving sustainable, long-term economic growth across the region.

Highlights from the 2024 figures include:

• Overnight stays have seen the most significant growth, up 14% on 2023 (approximately 11% in real terms), demonstrating increased demand for longer, higher-value visits.
• Serviced accommodation has led the way, with a remarkable 30.7% increase year-on-year (26% in real terms), highlighting strong performance for the destination’s hotels, B&Bs and inns.
• Visitor days remain stable and consistent with 2023 levels, supporting the region’s strategy of prioritising value over sheer visitor volume.
• Employment supported directly and indirectly by tourism has reached 33,000, an increase of 6%, underlining the sector’s vital role in local job creation.
• Data includes insights from short-term lets (including Airbnb), providing a comprehensive and accurate picture of the visitor economy.
• Visitor satisfaction is also high, with recent surveys reporting a 9.6/10 satisfaction score based on feedback from those who have visited the Peak District in the past 6 months.

Jo Dilley, Managing Director of Visit Peak District & Derbyshire, said: “These outstanding figures are a testament to the strength and appeal of the Peak District and Derbyshire as a world-class visitor destination. We are particularly proud of the growth in overnight stays and serviced accommodation, which shows that our strategy to focus on value over volume is delivering tangible economic benefits.

“These impressive results clearly demonstrate the impact of the work led by Visit Peak District & Derbyshire as the region’s Local Visitor Economy Partnership (LVEP), with a strong focus on attracting high-value visitors and championing sustainable tourism to build a more resilient, year-round visitor economy. We look forward to building on this success with continued collaboration across the region.”

Sir Richard FitzHerbert, Chair of Visit Peak District & Derbyshire, said: ‘These record-breaking figures are fantastic news for the Peak District and Derbyshire and a clear sign of the vital importance of our visitor economy. Tourism is not only bringing billions into the local economy, but it is also supporting thousands of jobs and communities across the region.

"As Chair, I am immensely proud of the collaborative efforts that have made this possible, from our brilliant businesses to our dedicated partners. Together, we are ensuring that tourism continues to be a cornerstone of our economy, while celebrating and protecting the landscapes, heritage and hospitality that make the destination truly unique.’

Mayor of the East Midlands, Claire Ward said: “Visitor economy is hugely important for the region, because it matters everywhere: to our cities, our market towns, and our rural areas. As these figures show, visitor economy plays a vital role in shaping the East Midlands’ identity and gives a major boost to our local economy, while also helping to protect our rich heritage and stunning landscapes.

"This growth reminds us of what we already know – the Peak District, Derbyshire, and indeed, the whole East Midlands are incredible places to live, work, and visit." 

The latest tourism figures align with the wider priorities of the East Midlands Combined County Authority (EMCCA), which recognises tourism as a key economic driver in the region’s future growth.