Transdev UK is to team up with tourism agency Welcome to Yorkshire to build tourism back better across the White Rose County in 2021.
The organizations are to work in partnership as the county’s favorite destinations begin to welcome visitors once again as pandemic restrictions are relaxed in time for summer, giving the green light to sightseeing by bus from the Pennines to the Yorkshire Coast.
The joint campaign will also promote the bus to walkers as an ideal way to discover the delights of Yorkshire, supporting ‘Walkshire’ – Welcome to Yorkshire’s campaign to underpin the county as the walking capital of the world.
Details of the partnership between Transdev UK and the tourism provider are currently being finalized – with both organizations hopeful that by working together, they can attract visitors from across Britain to safely enjoy all that Yorkshire has to offer without increasing pollution and congestion in cities, towns and the countryside.
The ‘Walkshire’ project features 365 walks covering all corners of the White Rose County, with one released every day throughout 2021 to showcase the very best of Yorkshire to a worldwide audience. Businesses and organizations are lining up to nominate and sponsor walking routes, with four big seasonal walks with special plans for Yorkshire Day on 1 August 2021, and a charity ‘Tour de Walkshire’ fundraising event for Yorkshire Cancer Research, to replace the postponed Tour de Yorkshire cycle race.
We’re excited about this partnership as we see great potential for the bus to play a leading role at the heart of a revived visitor economy in Yorkshire. Our two organizations share a passion for all things Yorkshire, and with our combined expertise we know we can make a huge difference to the restart of tourism, benefiting hundreds of businesses and supporting jobs in a sector which has been through so much in the last 12 months.
We know that people currently can’t travel with us for non-essential reasons, but with the predicted end of travel restrictions not far away, we’re already preparing to welcome visitors back to enjoy the amazing views from our buses across the region, restoring normal timetables and adding many more journeys so everyone can travel in comfort and safety. Many people have been longing to return to Yorkshire’s cities and countryside, and we can take them there without all the damage that queues of cars bring with them.
For walkers, we provide the perfect gateway to the many trails and footpaths which span the North York Moors and Yorkshire Dales national parks – especially as our buses make linear walks possible without having to return to a parked car. Welcome to Yorkshire’s ‘Walkshire’ campaign is a brilliant idea, and by working together to promote sustainable travel we can deliver all of its benefits without the downside of congested roads, delays and pollution.
Alex Hornby, Transdev in Yorkshire CEO
This is a great time for us to work hand-in-hand with Transdev to promote clean and safe travel to many of the most beautiful and inspiring places across our magnificent county.
The pandemic has brought a time to reflect on the importance of health and well-being, and so as we look to move beyond the current restrictions, there can be no better time to promote walking in Yorkshire to the world.
When travel restrictions are lifted, Transdev’s buses will once again offer an easy and accessible way to reach and enjoy the historic landmarks of our cities and the glorious scenery of two national parks, while leaving the car behind to help protect our special environment from congestion and pollution.
James Mason, Yorkshire Chief Executive
For more information on Transdev’s network of bus services across Yorkshire, and its unlimited Daytripper and Gold tickets offering unlimited travel across hundreds of miles of routes, visit: https://www.transdevbus.co.uk or download the free ‘Transdev Go’ mobile app.
More information on ‘Walkshire’, the year-long campaign to make Yorkshire the UK’s walking capital, is available online: https://www.yorkshire.com/walkshire.