How leisure has been managed (WJEC Eduqas GCSE Geography B): Revision Note

Specification links

The notes on this page cover part 1.2.5 of the WJEC Eduqas B specification

1.2.5 - What are the issues associated with leisure use in urban and rural areas across the UK?

• The study of one location where leisure use is managed and the effectiveness of the management strategy.

Leisure in Eryri National Park (Snowdonia)

Location and background

• Snowdonia National Park (Eryri) is in north-west Wales, covering over 2,100 km² of mountains, valleys, and coastline

• Includes Snowdon (Yr Wyddfa), the highest mountain in Wales at 1,085 metres

• The area has a population of around 25,000 residents spread across small towns and villages such as Betws-y-Coed, Beddgelert, and Llanberis

• It was designated as a National Park in 1951 to protect the area’s outstanding natural beauty and provide access for recreation and education

• Around 4 million visitors come to Snowdonia every year (Snowdonia National Park Authority, 2024), making it one of the most popular outdoor leisure destinations in the UK

Causes of increasing leisure use

• Snowdonia attracts both local and international visitors for its scenery, adventure, and cultural heritage

• Accessibility

  • Improved road and rail links from North Wales, Liverpool, and Manchester make the park easy to reach for day trips and weekends

• Range of activities

  • Walking, climbing, mountain biking, zip-lining, and water sports attract tourists of all ages

• Scenery and wildlife

  • Visitors are drawn to the dramatic landscapes, including Snowdon, Llyn Tegid (Bala Lake), and the Ogwen Valley

• Cultural and heritage attractions

  • Welsh language, historic castles such as Caernarfon, Conwy and Harlech, and traditional villages appeal to visitors

• Tourism promotion

  • Social media and adventure tourism companies, such as Zip World, have increased awareness of the area globally

• Result

  • Tourism and leisure have become vital to the local economy but also create growing environmental and social pressures

Impact of leisure on Eryri (Snowdonia)

Positive impacts of leisure

• Employment and income

  • Around 6,000 local people work in tourism, hospitality, or outdoor activity sectors

  • Visitor spending supports hotels, cafés, and shops in towns such as Betws-y-Coed and Bala

• Diversification of the rural economy

  • Farmers supplement their income through holiday cottages, camping sites, and adventure experiences

• Infrastructure improvements

  • Investment in roads, broadband, and public transport helps residents as well as tourists

• Cultural exchange and language awareness

  • Welsh identity and culture are promoted through visitor centres and bilingual signage

  • Conservation funding

  • Car park fees and tourism levies support habitat restoration and path maintenance

• Negative impacts of leisure

  • Despite economic benefits, high visitor numbers place a serious strain on the environment and local communities

Environmental impacts

• Footpath erosion

  • Heavy use of mountain trails such as the Llanberis Path and Pyg Track has damaged vegetation and created soil erosion scars visible for miles

• Traffic and pollution

  • Narrow mountain roads and village streets become gridlocked in summer, producing exhaust fumes and noise

• Litter and waste

  • Popular picnic spots and car parks suffer from littering, which harms wildlife and spoils the scenery

• Disturbance to wildlife

  • Dogs off-leash, drones, and noise from visitors disrupt nesting birds and grazing animals

Social Impacts

• Pressure on housing

  • Holiday homes and Airbnb rentals increase demand, pushing up property prices for local residents

• Seasonal employment

  • Many tourism jobs are temporary or low-paid, causing financial insecurity in winter

• Congestion and safety issues

  • Busy trails and overflowing car parks frustrate residents and create safety risks for walkers and drivers

• Example:

  • Llanberis experiences severe parking congestion on peak weekends, with cars parked on verges and pavements, blocking access for emergency vehicles

Management in Eryri National Park (Snowdonia)

• Management aims to balance conservation, community needs, and visitor enjoyment — the three pillars of sustainability

• Transport management

  • Snowdon Sherpa Bus Network links major car parks, villages, and walking routes to reduce car dependency

  • Park-and-ride schemes encourage visitors to leave vehicles outside the park and travel in by bus

  • Cycle routes such as the Lon Las Eryri promote active, low-carbon transport

• Effectiveness:

  • Reduces congestion and pollution in key hotspots

  • Services are limited in the off-season and remote valleys

• Footpath and landscape management

  • Upland path repair using local stone and sustainable materials restores damaged trails such as the Watkin Path

  • Drainage ditches and boardwalks protect wetland habitats from trampling

  • Zoning separates sensitive conservation areas from high-traffic routes

• Effectiveness:

  • Path erosion has decreased in heavily visited areas

  • Maintenance costs remain high and repairs need regular updating

• Visitor education and awareness

  • Visitor centres at Betws-y-Coed and Llanberis provide information on responsible tourism and Welsh culture

  • Campaigns such as ‘Leave No Trace’ and ‘Love Snowdonia, Tread Lightly’ promote sustainable behaviour

  • Schools and youth groups take part in guided educational trips

• Effectiveness:

  • Increased awareness of responsible access and litter reduction

  • Behavioural change among all visitors takes time to achieve

• Managing honeypot pressure

  • Limiting parking spaces in the Pen-y-Pass area reduces overcrowding on Snowdon’s most popular routes

  • Signage and information redirect visitors to quieter trails such as Rhyd Ddu Path and Cwm Idwal

  • Facilities like toilets and bins are concentrated in key areas to minimise landscape impact

• Effectiveness:

  • Visitor flow is more evenly spread

  • Some tourists ignore advice and continue to crowd the main routes

• Supporting local communities

  • Encouraging farm diversification into glamping, cafés, and adventure tourism supports the rural economy

  • Promoting local crafts and produce markets keeps money in the community

  • Planning rules control new developments to protect traditional architecture and the Welsh language

• Effectiveness:

  • Economic benefits are shared more widely

  • Ongoing housing affordability issues remain for younger residents

How effective is Snowdonia’s management?

Overall evaluation

• Snowdonia’s management strategies are largely successful in protecting the landscape and providing sustainable access

• However, the growing number of visitors means these measures need continuous funding, community cooperation, and education to remain effective in the long term