A NEW blueprint aimed at boosting earnings from tourism says Ryedale will play a key part.

Produced by Scarborough Borough Council, the strategy says the plan will work with Welcome to Yorkshire, Ryedale District Council and the North York Moors National Park.

Authors Janet Deacon, of Welcome to Yorkshire, and Mike Wilkinson, a chartered marketer, say the target is to increase earnings from tourism in the area by more than £300m a year to £700m in the next decade and create 3,000 jobs.

Of Ryedale, it says the district’s wealth of religious and medieval history, Dalby Forest and local food production, will be used to maximise opportunities.

The 68-page plan is now going out to widespread consultation in the tourism industry and organisations.