Day-tripping tourists 'hitting resort's economy'

Blackpool has suffered "one of its most challenging seasons ever" with more and more people only visiting the Lancashire resort for day trips rather than staying overnight, a tourism chief has said.

Claire Smith, president of hoteliers group Stay Blackpool, said the cost of living crisis was continuing to affect tourism numbers.

"If you look at the visitor numbers, we've had a great year, but they haven't been staying over," she said.

"Gas, electric and the cost of food along with an increase in staff wages and the National Insurance increase all had an impact. It's hit us hard."

Mobile phone data recently showed footfall on Blackpool's Promenade was up during June, July and August 2024, with a peak of 6.8 million visitors in July, compared with 2023.

A report presented to Blackpool Council's tourism, economy and communities scrutiny committee also showed footfall was actually up by 9% in June, 41% in July and 24% in August.

Free events including Blackpool Air Show, the World Fireworks Championships, the Illuminations switch-on and Christmas by the Sea have been key to drawing visitors in.

But Ms Smith said "lots of reasons" had affected tourism including the continuing availability of cheap European city breaks.

"To be fair, higher visitor numbers are good and it feeds the cafes and the restaurants but its not been good for hotels," she said.

"The restaurants used to be open seven nights a week, but because of staff costs and rising energy costs, some have cut back to five days a week."

However, she added Christmas by the Sea "was amazing and has got better and better every year", with tourists arriving "in their thousands".

"It was the most amazing part of the tourism offer this year," she said.

"We had a cracking November and December in that regard."

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