WALKERS are returning to Dartmoor following the full re-opening of the moor last weekend, bringing hope to pubs, hotels and restaurants.
Dartmoor Tourist Association chairman Sally Baber said it was great to have the national park open again and it felt much busier at the weekend.
'There were definitely more people around and we had nice weather, which helped,' she said.
'August is still looking quiet in terms of bookings for many businesses but we hope the message that Dartmoor is open will start to filter through soon.'
Ann Cooper, of the Tors Hotel in Belstone, said there was a 'real buzz' at the weekend.
'It was strange seeing people back walking on the moor because it has been so quiet for so long,' she said.
'The village was packed on Sunday and there were lots of tourists around — it was good to see.'
She said the local people were also happy because they could now walk their dogs on the moor again.
Chairman of Chagford Business Association Chris Webber said the re-opening of the moor had brought more people into the town on Saturday.
'Saturday was quite a good day but it is still early days,' he said. 'We are all looking forward to things getting back to normal.'
One person who was delighted to get back on the moor was Mike Palmer from Chagford who organises guided walks.
'It was wonderful to be able to walk on the moor and it was so green,' he said. 'It is a shame it has been closed for so long to walkers but our hearts go out to the farmers who are the ones really suffering.'