Blackpool’s Best Visitor Numbers Revealed

5 February 2014

Blackpool has enjoyed its best ever visitor numbers for an autumn season since survey records began.

More than four million adults visited the UK’s most popular seaside resort between September and December 2013 according to the latest national Omnibus survey.

The figure represents an increase of 250,000 visits over the same period in 2012 making it the highest four-monthly total since the surveys began in 2009.

The autumn period is traditionally a busy period for Blackpool with the world-famous Illuminations attracting visitors nightly along with the World Firework Championships which take place over four Friday’s in September.

The increase in visits during the autumn season also means the number of adult visits for the year as a whole has risen to 10 million – almost matching the 2012 annual total despite disappointing figures in some of the spring and summer months.

The ratio of staying visitors versus day visitors also showed an increase between September and December – with 42% staying for at least one night compared to 36% in 2012.

Cllr Graham Cain, Blackpool Council Cabinet Member for Tourism and Leisure, said the figures are very pleasing.

Cllr Cain said: “I am delighted we have seen an increase in visits during the busy Illuminations period.

“The 2013 autumn season benefited from an additional week of Illuminations at the start of November and also from extensive positive TV coverage generated by Blackpool hosting a heat of the BBC's Strictly Come Dancing.

“An increase in overnight stays is also very pleasing. The Blackpool Resort Pass was launched last year to encourage visitors to stay longer in resort and it has already been reported that 67 per cent of those surveyed who bought the Pass did stay for four nights or longer.

“This is all really encouraging news but we cannot rest on our laurels. The only way of getting such high visitor numbers is to have high quality attractions and amenities here to draw in visitors.

“Many, many people in the resort work incredibly hard to attract these visitors and we must continue to work together to maintain and hopefully see our visitor numbers increase further.”

The survey, carried out among 4,000 households in Britain, reaffirms the vital importance of the Illuminations with well over half of the visits coming during September and October, and 25% of autumn visitors citing the Lights as their primary reason for coming to Blackpool.

Overall visitor satisfaction ratings for the four month period in 2013 stood at 88% compared to 84% in 2012.

The figures only include adult visits and do not take into account the number of children visiting the resort.

Cllr Cain added: “It is important to note that the figures only represent adult visitors. Blackpool is a family resort and, in particular, the Illuminations attract vast numbers of families therefore the actual number of people visiting during this period will far exceed the four million recorded.”

ENDS

05/02/2014

Notes to editors:

Pics attached of the World Firework Championships held in Blackpool and Blackpool Illuminations (Please credit David Graham)

For further information, please contact:

Sarah Rhodes, Communications Manager

T: 01253 478208

VisitBlackpool is the tourism arm of Blackpool Council and is tasked with promoting the UK's most popular holiday destination to leisure and business visitors, both domestically and internationally.

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