The Dumfries & Galloway Mountain Bike Business Network and www.eat-sleep-ride.com is starting to put the South of Scotland on the world map with the fantastic trails in the 7stanes and at Drumlanrig.

The Forestry Commission and their partners were keen that local businesses were able to reap the benefit of the substantial public investment made in these trails and as a result Dumfries & Galloway Chamber set up the Mountain Bike Business Network.

The Mountain Bike Business Network is open to any business involved in Mountain Bike related business, however big or small. The Network costs £100 to join and is managed by an informal committee

The Network completed an Active Tourism Project funded by Leader and VisitScotland to promote the region as a destination for outdoor activities as well as mountain biking.  An iPhones app has been published. New marketing material iwas published and a presence is planned at a number of national exhibitions and shows.

What are the Network’s aims?
• To ensure an integrated and high quality service to anyone using the trails in the south of Scotland
• To market the trails to increase the levels of use and increase the levels of spend within the region
• To ensure that the marketing and brands are properly and consistently applied
• To liaise with both business and the public agencies in relation to the development and management of the trails

Discussions are now underway to transfer the Network to Destination Dumfries and Galloway.  Contact the Chamber office for more details.

Figures About Mountain Biking
Estimated 400,000 visitors to the 7stanes in 2007 – 130% growth in three years!
• 20% from South of Scotland
• 43% from elsewhere in Scotland (60% in 2004)
• 32% from elsewhere in UK (23% in 2004)
• 5% from Overseas (0% in 2004)

Facts

Length of Stay

• 69% spend one day
• 32% spend two or more days

Accommodation

• 20% in hotels (12% in 2004)
• 19% with friends or family
• 16% in youth hostels/backpacker accommodation or campsite
• 14% B&B or Guest House
• 11% Self Catering
• 7% in fixed caravan (up from 1% in 2004)
• 6% in mobile caravan
• 7% “Other”