We have discussed a similar topic before.
The presence of a Zip wire, attracts huge numbers of people into an area, that may not have bothered to visit in the past.
With these people, comes significant revenue, both for the Zip wire operators and local community.
The Zip Wire projects in Snowdonia, have become such a huge success, generating over £250 million in just five years, for the economy of the area, that those living in South Wales can see the financial benefits both for tourism, and the local economy.
Its seen as so advantageous to the economy of a particular area of Wales, that the Welsh Assembly Government have given their blessing and support to the proposed project to be based at Tower Colliery above Rhigos, in the Upper Rhondda valley.
Slightly different, but of a similar nature, Surf Snowdonia, the largest manmade wave facility in the world,(according to its owners that is) is so popular, that Conwy Council have given permission for a new hotel to be constructed near Dollgarog.
All this is great news for tourism in Northern Snowdonia, and with the continual decline in the value of the pound, more are deciding to holiday at home, due to the increased cost of holidaying abroad.
We are not all converts of the great outdoors, and walking up a mountain, to many, is seen as a waste of time.
Why should other areas prosper and benefit from ever so popular tourist ideas.
The Lake District needs tourism to survive, it has done in the past, and will continue to need it in the future, its stunningly beautiful, but to some, that is no incentive to visit it.
If your not a walker, or someone slightly interested in scenery, what else is there to do there, other than drive around, admire the views and move on to the next vista.
A Zip wire to some is a blight on the landscape, something so unthinkable, they will do everything in their power to stop it happening, but the small area of Snowdonia that enjoys Zip world and its other attractions, has benefitted to the tune of over £250m in the past five years of trading.
Many thousands of visitors new to the beauty of Snowdonia, have arrived, stayed overnight in local B&Bs and hotels, spent money in the locality, and possibly returned to experience other attractions.
Why cant Cumbria share its beauty, with people who only want to visit for the sole purpose of going down a wire at speed.
Its a wire for goodness sake, not a nuclear power station, that still blights the landscape above Trawsfynydd.