Blackpool's tourist numbers on the rise

Blackpool's visitor numbers are on the rise as the latest tourism figures show a jump in people heading to the resort.

The figures for 2023 show the seaside resort attracted 21.5m tourists - a 6% increase compared to 2022 when the total was 20.3m.

The annual STEAM report, which independently measures indicators including attendance at events, visitor attraction numbers and occupancy levels at hotels also shows the value of Blackpool's tourism industry remained stable at £1.98bn with the resort accounting for 32% of the value of Lancashire's total visitor economy.

Blackpool Council leader councillor Lynn Williams said the figures were "very encouraging".

The data also showed the number of full-time tourism and hospitality jobs supported in Blackpool has grown to 23,419 – a 5.3% rise on the previous year, the Local Democracy Reporting Service said.

Williams said: "Blackpool welcomed large crowds thanks to a diverse programme of major events, the launch of new attractions, a two-month extension of the autumn Illuminations season, and the expansion of the hugely successful Christmas By The Sea village.

"All of these factors, combined with strong partnerships and impactful marketing, reinforce our commitment to keeping Blackpool as the UK's most visited seaside resort and firmly establishing it as a thriving year-round destination."

In 2023, the Illuminations Switch-On returned to the Promenade for the first time in three years with singer Sophie Ellis-Bextor flicking the famous switch.

A multi-media marketing campaign featured "resort ambassador" Nigel C Gull, a seagull puppet voiced by actor and comedian Johnny Vegas.

Other investment in 2023 included the £2.3m Gruffalo & Friends Clubhouse on the Promenade, the return of Valhalla at Pleasure Beach Resort following a £4m transformation, and the opening of Blackpool Zoo's £1.5m big cat facility.

The council's own tourism performance data, revealed in December, showed footfall on the Promenade increased last summer with its free events programme and investment in new attractions cited as driving up visitor numbers.

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