British seaside holiday as popular as it ever was
British seaside holiday as popular as it ever was
According to new research Britain's seaside tourism industry is holding its own against competition posed by holidays abroad and nowhere more so than in Blackpool.
Research carried out by Sheffield Hallam University has found that Blackpool has the largest concentration of seaside tourist jobs in the country, but the report also ranks Blackpool lower than other smaller seaside holiday destinations because of retail competition posed by Preston City Centre.
A report published today (Monday 28 June) named The Seaside Tourist Industry in England and Wales demolishes myths that people no longer have seaside holidays.
The report states that in Blackpool, Fylde and Wyre 19,200 year-long jobs exist in the tourism industry alone. The fact so many people are employed in this sector goes to show the demand there is for people wanting to enjoy a British holiday by the sea and how reliant the local economy is on the tourism sector.
Last year Blackpool saw a 20% increase in visitors compared with previous years. A commitment to driving up the quality of blackpool hotels, bar and restaurants alongside an action packed events programme and exciting regeneration projects all helped to create a bumper summer season.
Cllr Maxine Callow, Cabinet Member for Regeneration and Tourism at Blackpool Council and Vice Chairman of BRADA said: “This report goes to show what a crucial role tourism plays in Blackpool. Visitors are the lifeblood of this town and this council is committed to developing the sustainability and growth of the industry.
“We constantly need to improve our offer to visitors, whether that be through world class events or providing quality accommodation and an accreditation system they can trust.
“Times are hard everywhere at the moment but it is important we keep finding ways to support the tourism industry in Blackpool as the knock on effect to Blackpool residents is clear to see.
“This year alone Blackpool Council has brought the Tower and Winter Gardens into public ownership, agreed to a loan to bring two new attractions to Sandcastle Waterpark and appointed Laurence Llewelyn Bowen as creative director of the Illuminations. All of this helps to safeguard and create new jobs in Blackpool and maintains the resorts position as Britain's favourite visitor destination.”
Posted Monday June 28th 2010
By The Onlines