FIGURES RELEASED by Blackpool Council show that visitor numbers have increased to 12 million by the end of 2009 and figures for January to April 2010 indicate a 24% increase on the same time period last year.
Alan Cavill, assistant director of tourism and economy, said:
“We’re seeing a significant increase in the number of families.
“What we’ve tried to do is drive up the quality of the resort, because we believe that quality doesn’t alienate anybody.
“What we’ve seen as a result of that is we’ve had far more people come who’ve never been to Blackpool before and perhaps would never consider Blackpool, because of the kind of events we’re putting on and the kind of quality we’ve brought.”
Visitor numbers used to be around the 20 million figure in the 1980′s but fell below the 10 million mark (9.8 million) in 2007. A number of large scale infrastructure products including the new promenade, upgraded tram system, rebuilt St John’s Square, Houndshill shopping Centre extension and Birley Street Arches have seen Blackpool Council in recent years rebuild the town and it’s image in order to attract investment and more holiday makers.
A full list of the reconstruction projects and their current project status can be found in the Blackpool Aloud forum: http://blackpoolaloud.org.uk/forums/forumdisplay.php/61-Blackpools-Regeneration
When will the town start to get properly verifiable statistics with a transparent methodology? Alan Cavill can stick any number he wants on visitor stats and know that most people won’t bother to probe any further. It’s in his interests to ensure that the appearance of ‘success’ is given.
Anecdotal evidence suggests an increase in visitor numbers is not the case. Likewise, certain member associations representing the leisure and hospitality trade in the town do not have any faith in the council’s numbers.
I challenge Alan Cavill to publish his statistics as part of a proper report – including the methodology.
Good on you John,but numbers mean nothing unless we see a visible improvement to the town and its still stuck in the doldrums,filthy and squalid and just recently very violent.
There may be more money going in but without visible improvements and regeneration;it counts for nothing.
As a taxi driver in Blackpool I can say there are a lot of tourists about during the day, maybe more than last year but certainly not less.
However after 8pm they’ve all dissapeared, hardly anyone on the prom and the town centre is practically empty, I’d say less than last year. Whether this is down to more day trippers, or people focussing on daytime activities and staying in the hotels at night I don’t know. But I can say that there are less holidaymakers going to shows, restaurants, social clubs, even bingo than last year. Maybe It’ll improve once the lights go on.