Tourism in the Peak District and Derbyshire continues to thrive, with new STEAM (Scarborough Tourism Economic Activity Monitor) figures for 2024 revealing a record £3.58 billion contribution to the local economy – a 9.1% increase on 2023, or around 6% in real terms, when adjusted for inflation.

The latest data highlights the growing strength and resilience of the area’s visitor economy and highlights the significant impact of Visit Peak District & Derbyshire in its role as the region’s Local Visitor Economy Partnership (LVEP), with its value-over-volume approach driving sustainable, long-term economic growth across the region.

Highlights from the 2024 figures include:

• Overnight stays have seen the most significant growth, up 14% on 2023 (approximately 11% in real terms), demonstrating increased demand for longer, higher-value visits.
• Serviced accommodation has led the way, with a remarkable 7% increase year-on-year (26% in real terms), highlighting strong performance for the destination’s hotels, B&Bs and inns.
• Visitor days remain stable and consistent with 2023 levels, supporting the region’s strategy of prioritising value over sheer visitor volume.
• Employment supported directly and indirectly by tourism has reached 33,000, an increase of 6%, underlining the sector’s vital role in local job creation.
• Data includes insights from short-term lets (including Airbnb), providing a comprehensive and accurate picture of the visitor economy.
• Visitor satisfactions also high, with recent surveys reporting a 6/10 satisfaction score based on feedback from those who have visited the Peak District in the past 6 months.

Jo Dilley, Managing Director of Visit Peak District & Derbyshire, said: “These outstanding figures are a testament to the strength and appeal of the Peak District and Derbyshire as a world-class visitor destination. We are particularly proud of the growth in overnight stays and serviced accommodation, which shows that our strategy to focus on value over volume is delivering tangible economic benefits.

“These impressive results clearly demonstrate the impact of the work led by Visit Peak District & Derbyshire as the region’s Local Visitor Economy Partnership (LVEP), with a strong focus on attracting high-value visitors and championing sustainable tourism to build a more resilient, year-round visitor economy. We look forward to building on this success with continued collaboration across the region.”

Sir Richard FitzHerbert, Chair of Visit Peak District & Derbyshire, said: ‘These record-breaking figures are fantastic news for the Peak District and Derbyshire and a clear sign of the vital importance of our visitor economy. Tourism is not only bringing billions into the local economy, but it is also supporting thousands of jobs and communities across the region. As Chair, I am immensely proud of the collaborative efforts that have made this possible, from our brilliant businesses to our dedicated partners. Together, we are ensuring that tourism continues to be a cornerstone of our economy, while celebrating and protecting the landscapes, heritage and hospitality that make the destination truly unique.’

Mayor of the East Midlands, Claire Ward said: “Visitor economy is hugely important for the region, because it matters everywhere: to our cities, our market towns, and our rural areas.

“As these figures show, visitor economy plays a vital role in shaping the East Midlands’ identity and gives a major boost to our local economy, while also helping to protect our rich heritage and stunning landscapes.

“This growth reminds us of what we already know – the Peak District, Derbyshire, and indeed, the whole East Midlands are incredible places to live, work, and visit.”

The latest tourism figures align with the wider priorities of the East Midlands Combined County Authority (EMCCA), which recognises tourism as a key economic driver in the region’s future growth.

Six local people have successfully been offered roles at the new Aldi store in Brimington, and 28 people received two new qualifications each, thanks to them attending a sector-based work academy.

Thanks to a local labour clause, Chesterfield Borough Council has worked closely with Job Centre Plus, Chesterfield College and Aldi to ensure local people have the opportunity to receive work-based training, and in six cases, a new job at the new Aldi store.

28 individuals, some of whom were previously unemployed, were selected to attend the sector-based work academy, and following the seven-day course, each received two new qualifications to aid their learning and future employment.

The qualifications received were an NCFE Level 1 Award in Work Related Studies for the Customer Service Sector and a Level 1 Award in Managing Your Money.

Councillor Amanda Serjeant, deputy leader of Chesterfield Borough Council, said: “As a major planning application, the site has been subject to a local labour clause which seeks to lever skills and employment opportunities arising from development for local people.

“We want to do all we can to support people into the workplace, so I am delighted that everyone who attended the sector-based work academy received new qualifications, as well as a number of them also securing new jobs at the retail store too.”

The new Aldi development on Ringwood Road in Brimington, is due to open its doors on 30 October and will create 40 to 50 new employment opportunities as a result of the new store.

Scott Smith, area manager for Aldi, said: “Working closely with Chesterfield Borough Council, Chesterfield College and DWP through the Sector Based Work Academy programme has been invaluable in helping us recruit for our new Aldi Brimington store. Their support has enabled us to connect with local talent and provide real opportunities for people to start rewarding careers with Aldi”.

If you are currently looking for work, Job Centre Plus will be holding a recruitment event on 24 September from 10am to 12pm at Chesterfield Job Centre. Anyone who would like to attend, should go along to their local Job Centre and register their interest.

Later in the year, Chesterfield Borough Council is also hosting a Job Fair at the Town Hall on Tuesday 21 October from 1pm to 4pm. A range of local employers will be in attendance, it is a drop-in event, and everyone is welcome to come along.

A game-changing inclusive growth plan to transform the lives and livelihoods of people across Derby, Derbyshire, Nottingham and Nottinghamshire has been unveiled.

The Mayor of the East Midlands, Claire Ward and the Royal Society for Arts, Manufactures and Commerce (RSA) have launched the Inclusive Growth Commission report, the first of its kind in the UK.

The publication of the Commission’s final, ground-breaking recommendations is a major moment for the East Midlands. It is a chance for partners to work together to improve lives and jobs across one of the UK’s largest regions and to set an example others can follow.

The final report brings together new ideas for skills, health, housing and transport. It is designed to help people across Derby, Derbyshire, Nottingham and Nottinghamshire access good jobs, better opportunities, and develop stronger communities.

The report shows there’s a big chance for the East Midlands to grow. If the region attracts more investment, it could bring in £200 billion by 2035. Supporting the 18 most promising new industrial sites could help 30,000 low-paid workers earn around £6,700 more each year. Helping people build stronger networks and connections could add £1.4 billion in extra income for the poorest households over the next ten years. And if worker health problems are reduced, it could save up to £10 billion every year.

This is a plan built with and for the people of the East Midlands. It is also the first regional model of its kind in the UK – practical, scalable, and designed to influence national debates on growth, levelling up, and the future economy, leading to:

• A healthier, better-paid, more skilled workforce
• Better access to affordable housing and transport
• Stronger, more connected communities.
• A distinctive East Midlands identity that attracts talent and investment.

Mayor of the East Midlands, Claire Ward said: “The East Midlands is a region of huge pride and ambition. We’ve always been a place that builds, creates and leads, from our world-class manufacturers to our thriving new industries in green energy, life sciences and the creative economy. However, too often the opportunities our people deserve aren’t spread fairly. That’s why I asked the Inclusive Growth Commission to look hard at the barriers and the solutions.

“The Commission’s final report makes clear the challenge is not aspiration as we have that in abundance, but the pathways that turn ambition into achievement. Too many young people face broken steps on the journey to a secure job, a decent home or affordable transport.”

At the heart of the plan is the UK’s first “Opportunity Escalator”, setting out clear pathways for people to access opportunities and progress in work and life.

• Get on: It is about removing barriers that hold people back: improving transport links within and beyond the region, ensuring affordable homes are available where the jobs are, and creating healthy neighbourhoods where care, community and opportunity come together.

• Get up: This is about matching local skills with better paying jobs and showing clear next steps, the Escalator helps authorities, education establishments, employers and local people take action to support fair and inclusive growth. It helps people to “get up” the Escalator.

To make the Opportunity Escalator work, the Commission has set out flagship priorities to ensure every community benefits. These include:

• Providing every young person access to career guidance, work experience, and wellbeing support — with a clear path into work, training, or further education.
• Boost school performance and making sure adults can retrain for jobs that are needed locally like green energy and digital skills.
• Tackle poor health as a barrier for people working, by integrating healthcare and employment services, and promote fair, flexible workplaces through a Good Employers Charter.
• Strengthen community ties by supporting local enterprises and delivering services through trusted venues like schools, libraries, and community hubs.
• Attract investment into the region to boost the economy.

The Commission is also calling for the UK’s first regional plan to strengthen social connections as well as economic ones, including more support for grassroots leaders and community groups, and investment which delivers not just profit, but greener, fairer, healthier places across the East Midlands.

Mayor Claire added: “The Commission’s concept of an ‘opportunity escalator’ captures perfectly what we must build: a fair system of visible, achievable steps that works for everyone, wherever they start.

“This is a call to action for all of us – government, business, communities – to invest in our people and places. As Mayor, I am determined to lead that change. Together we must remove the barriers that hold people back, and make sure the East Midlands is a region where every young person has the chance not just to dream, but to thrive.”

The East Midlands Inclusive Growth Commission was set up in November 2024 by East Midlands Combined County Authority (EMCCA) and council leaders across the region, who appointed the RSA to run the high-profile commission.

Andy Haldane, the Chair of the Commission, said: “When the Mayor asked the RSA to lead this Commission, the ambition was to end a cycle of underinvestment in the East Midlands and redesign growth from the ground up.

“By developing an ambitious new engine for growth, the Opportunity Escalator, and through the Commission’s recommendations, we’re equipping not just the region, but the whole country with a blueprint for people-centred inclusive growth.”

Tom Stratton, Chief of Staff at the RSA, said:  “This Commission set out to shape a new approach to economic growth in the East Midlands, one that unlocks opportunity for everyone, wherever they live and whatever their circumstances. The Opportunity Escalator and recommendations published today do exactly that.”

“EMCCA now has the tools to align the Government’s top-down Industrial Strategy with a bottom-up, East Midlands-specific model of growth- starting with people’s existing skills and setting out the steps needed to move into better paid, higher-skilled jobs.

“As devolution gathers pace and demand for fresh growth models grows, we hope this report marks the start of an ongoing conversation.”