BUSINESS people in the Yorkshire Dales are being given the chance to swap ideas and experiences at a series of meetings this year.

The events are being organised by the Yorkshire Dales National Park Authority (YDNPA) for members of Dales Tourism Business Network.

They will take place at various locations around the National Park.

Fifteen places are available for the first event on the theme ‘Attracting greener customers and encouraging repeat visits'.

The event on February 12 from 10am-2.30pm, will involve visits to Cottage in the Dales in West Burton and the Dales Bike Centre at Fremington, near Reeth.

Meghann Hull, authority sustainable tourism officer, said: “This will be a great opportunity to see how two very different businesses in the National Park have managed to tackle green issues and implement environmental measures.

“The event will include a visit to see Diane Howarth and her five-star gold accommodation at Inglenook Cottage in West Burton, looking at how you can still be green in a listed building in a conservation area.

“The group will then travel over to Swaledale to see Stuart and Brenda Price at their Dales Bike Centre and cafe near Reeth, looking at how they have successfully managed to set up their low fuel, low impact enterprise catering for mountain bikers visiting the National Park.

“These are informal ‘familiarisation trip’ events and we hope people will be able to take away ideas as well as picking up tips on reducing costs and introducing simple environmental measures.”

Transport from Aysgarth Falls National Park Centre car park will by minibus and lunch will be provided at the Dales Bike Centre.

Bookings are on a first come, first served basis and can be made by emailing Meghann at sustainable.tourism@yorkshiredales.org.uk before January 31.

Details are also on the YDNPA website at http://www.yorkshiredales.org.uk/dtbnevents