News

A large number of people are being drawn to particular holiday destinations because they want to see a wind farm in action.

The often controversial energy generators are proving a hit with many and are bringing in some much needed funds for destinations which are normally less popular with tourists.

'It's how you sell it and how you market yourself,' Erik Foley, director of the Renewable Energy Center at St Francis University in Pennsylvania, told the Tribune Democrat. 'We could become the clean energy capital of the world.'

Special tours have been established in many areas, offering tourists information and a close up view of the turbines in motion.

Somerset County is already said to be enjoying a large increase in visitor numbers as a result of the largest wind farm in the region.

'We get an amazing number of calls and people stopping in asking for information on them,' said Ron Aldom, executive director of the Somerset County Chamber of Commerce. 'People are extremely interested.'

Other US states are also benefiting from the trend, with Oklahoma and Texas home to a 600-mile stretch of turbines which is now the focus of a tour.

Although there are currently no specific figures available for the trend, the American Wind Energy Association is adamant that many areas have seen big increases in visitor numbers following the construction of a wind farm.

© Adfero Ltd