CRAVEN tourism businesses are being invited to free workshops aimed at finding out how to attract more overseas visitors - particularly from Germany and Australia.

The Yorkshire Dales is one of nine national parks to receive funding from the government's tourism agency, Visit England to develop new ways to attract foreign visitors.

And Germany and Australia have been identified as key target markets for the workshops which will look at ways to develop easily bookable 'immersive visitor experiences'.

The first of the free workshops - billed The English National Park Experience Collection - is due to take place on Thursday (April 26) at The Devonshire Arms Hotel, Bolton Abbey.

The events are open to owners of hotels, bed and breakfasts, and guest houses, attractions, experiences or activities in the Yorkshire Dales National Park.

Also welcome are those who want to help showcase the national park’s landscape, history and culture to visitors from overseas.

Each session will cover the context to the programme, provide some examples of the experiences being developed and the actions required to reach a global audience.

Susan Briggs, of the Tourism Network, has been commissioned by the national park to lead the events.

“This is a great opportunity for businesses in and around the park," she said.

"The idea is that together we develop world-class bookable tourism products, targeted at the right international customers, at the right time and through the right channels. Ambitious businesses can apply to be a part of the programme – and at the workshops I will be outlining the benefits they will receive."

She added: "The content at both events is the same - people should choose the one most convenient for them.”

The head of Discover England’s national parks programme, Mark Holroyd, said: “There are opportunities for tourism businesses to get involved from activity companies and attractions to accommodation providers. A core part of the programme will help businesses to tell the compelling stories of our national parks to new audiences."

He said people could get involved in either leading, or supporting, one of the identified experiences.

“These open workshops are free to attend and we would encourage anyone wanting to find out more to come along," he said.

Each session will provide some examples of the experiences being developed and the actions required to reach a global audience.

The Devonshire Arms Hotel workshop starts at 10am on Thursday. A second workshop will take place at the Yorkshire Dales National Park Authority offices, Yoredale, Bainbridge, on Thursday. May 3 at 1.15 pm.

To sign up for either workshop, book online at: dalestourism.com

The project is being funded by an award of £1.2m from VisitEngland’s Discover England Fund, which is being split between the Dartmoor, Exmoor, Lake District, Northumberland, Peak District, North York Moors, South Downs, The Broads and Yorkshire Dales national parks.

For more information about The English National Park Experience Collection visit :nationalparks.gov.uk