This sector analysis describes the characteristics and scale of the tourism, recreation and access sector, its impact upon the delivery of nature conservation objectives in England, English Nature?s objectives for the sector and priority actions for the period 2000-2003.

It examines the key socio-economic and political factors that shape the tourism, recreation and access sector; it includes a brief analysis of the economic impact of the sector and the interaction with peoples? lifestyles. It describes in outline the roles of the key players within the sector: the government agencies, National Park and local authorities, the numerous representative bodies and the various special interest groups.

The paper analyses the nature conservation impacts of the tourism, recreation and access sector, both positive and negative. The annexes summarise the types of impacts which can result from a range of tourist and recreational activities, whilst section 4 acknowledges that there can be gains for biodiversity from tourism and recreation in terms of giving people opportunities to appreciate wildlife and enhancing the natural environment through initiatives associated with people?s enjoyment of the countryside. Although the interaction between tourism/recreation and nature conservation occurs across all Natural Areas it is in coastal zones and close to towns where continued growth in the amount of tourism and recreational activity is likely to occur and where the greatest amount of management intervention by English Nature will be required.