AN INITIATIVE has been launched to promote “wool tourism” across the Yorkshire Dales.

The Dales Tourism Network (DTN) is launching a national visitor campaign promoting the area’s wool heritage.

The campaign will provide marketing and PR support for the many businesses in the dales which are directly or indirectly involved in the woollen trade.

This week is National Wool Week (October 6 to October 12) which is highlighting the boom in the fibre. There are an estimated 7.5 million knitters in the UK and the number of people making crafts is growing by 12 per cent annually.

Susan Briggs, director of the Dales Tourism Network said they needed to show the increasing numbers of holiday-makers visiting the area how much was on offer across the region.

“These visitors are keen to indulge their hobby during a short break, to learn new techniques or seek inspiration. With the variety of woollen-related attractions, shops, galleries, courses and events together with the accommodation and eateries on offer, the dales has a powerful offering that is perfect for boosting out-of-season business.

“We’re going to promote this through a national visitor campaign that will include social media, PR, our online information hub; woollenhills.com, and a number of low-cost marketing initiatives that the dales community can get involved with.

“We’re looking for spinners, weavers, knitters or anybody with a woollen-related skill to come on-board, together with pubs, cafés or accommodation providers who have cosy lounges where people can sit together and try their hand at various crafts.”

Any dales businesses that want to be involved can get in touch via; www.dalestourism.com or email: susan@tourismnetwork.co.uk.