Diversification

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As one of the largest and fastest growing industries in the world, and with the emergence of specialist markets for cultural, adventure and wildlife leisure breaks, tourism provides an opportunity to diversity the rural economy. Forests provide excellent environments for walking, watching, horse-riding, mountain biking and more generally enjoying scenic viewing. The UK enjoys some internationally renowned attractions such as The New Forest in Hampshire and the 7Stanes Mountain Biking Trails in south Scotland. In Scotland alone, an estimated 18 million visits are made to forests and woodland every year, boosting the economy by approximately £100 million per year.