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The Brecks Regenerative Tourism Project

8 September 2025

Deb Brookes / Consultant

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Project Aims and Ambitions

  • Create a sandpit for best practice to rollout in Suffolk and Norfolk
  • Provide seed investment to attract inward investment
  • Deliver employment and boost visitor economy wealth
  • Support market town growth
  • Exemplify LVEP’s ambitions to expand tourism seasonally and geographically

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Sustainable and Regenerative Tourism is good for People and Place�

Biodiversity and Rare Species

The Brecklands provide essential habitats for rare wildlife and plants, supporting a rich variety of species.

Recreational Opportunities

The region attracts visitors for walking, cycling, and nature watching, boosting tourism and the local economy.

Environmental Sustainability

Unique landscapes in the Brecklands help regulate climate, conserve soil, and ensure long-term ecosystem health.

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Our Working Group�

Vanessa Scott (Chair) – Strattons Hotel

Pete Waters - Visit East of England

Katy Nelstrop – The English Whisky Company

Valerie Watson-Brown – The Lively Crew

Katharine Wolstenholme – College Farm

Mary Harris – Bird Consulting

Mary Kemp – Farmer and Local Produce

Nicole Wade - The Brecks Fen Edge & Rivers Landscape Partnership

Claire Burton – Brecklands Council

Donna Baldwin – Oxburgh National Trust

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Project Partnership and Collaboration

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Uniquely The Brecks

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Extend the Season: Dark Skies

The Milky Way Visible to the South of Norwich

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Connect Visitor Economy businesses to Landscape based Experiences

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Support Existing Projects

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�����Where are we now? ��The Brecks 10-point plan���

Key Elements of the Brecks Regenerative Tourism Framework

  1. Support Local and National Government Policies including the Breckland Local Plan
    • Demonstrate economic, social, and environmental benefits
  2. Recognise Sustainable Tourism as precursor to Regenerative Tourism
  3. Showcase sustainable and regenerative actions already undertaken by local businesses
  4. Encourage best practice sharing and commitment from critical mass of businesses
  5. Foster collaborative partnerships linking businesses and landowners
  6. Facilitate regional, national, and international best practice sharing
  7. Include education and training for local businesses
  8. Develop a bespoke, measurable code of regenerative tourism practice that can be evaluated
  9. Promote Brecks as destination through storytelling and themed itineraries
  10. Attract further and future funding from both public and private sources

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Includes these Project Outputs:

Themed Itineraries: e.g. Dark Skies, The Great Pingo Trail, Heritage Trails (Warreners, Vikings, Boudicca), Digital Free

Resources / training for Brecks Businesses: e.g. local food directory, guide to sustainable tourist accommodation

Bespoke Brecks regenerative tourism best practice framework

Eco-tourism networking group (partnership and collab with other EoE regions)

Destination marketing and Brecks placemaking to promote market towns and extend the season

Future funding strategy

Partnership strategy: local, national and international

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Regenerative Tourism in Action in the UK & Ireland

UK Nationals Parks Regenerative Tourism: Future Focus

  • Measure our impact
  • Develop more resilient rural businesses
  • Support and promote low carbon and carbon free travel
  • Develop fully accessible and inclusive destinations
  • Develop nature benefitting and low carbon experiences
  • Celebrate local distinctiveness of sense of place

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Thank-you and any questions