Beach is still resort’s big attraction
DESPITE having more tourist attractions than rival resorts, Bournemouth's biggest draw for visitors - perhaps unsurprisingly - remains its beach, a report has concluded.
Head of tourism Mark Smith told members of the Bournemouth and Poole Economic Overview Panel that the town's website listed 130 attractions, compared to 87 in Eastbourne, 33 on the English Riviera (Torbay area), 20 activities in Brighton and 45 in Blackpool.
"In general terms we are able to see that the Bournemouth area has a greater range and diversity... than almost any other coastal location in Britain," he said.
"Individual attractions are not, and are unlikely ever to be, the key reason for people choosing Bournemouth for a holiday or short break. The primary reason for leisure visits to Bournemouth is supported by the general motivation of the beach/coast, and the appeal and choice presented by the resort and wider area."
Although the majority of local operators felt new all-weather attractions would boost the resort's appeal, they did not want them "propped up" by public funding.
Mr Smith predicted Bournemouth was unlikely to see a rush of such developments over the next 10 years, partly due to the lending squeeze and the competition of being alongside "some of the best established attractions in Britain".
He said there was potential for attractions linked to existing projects such as the Surf Reef, and for identifying and exploiting under-used sites in key locations, such as parts of the seafront.
10:42am Monday 28th April 2008
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