BLACKPOOL

• Spec Content:- A case study of either a UK National Park

or a UK coastal resort. - The reasons for its growth as a tourist

destination- The effectiveness of strategies to cope

with the impact of large numbers of tourists

- Plans to ensure the continuing success of tourism in the area

P303 Ross et al

History and Growth as a tourist Resort• Historically, Blackpool owes much of its success to its proximity to the industrial towns of

Lancashire with their large urban populations. Lancashire, and in particular Manchester, was the centre of the industrial revolution which took place in Britain during the nineteenth century.

• In 1846 a railway station was constructed allowing thousands of factory workers to head to the resort for a weeks holiday in the summer

• In the next forty years Blackpool was transformed. Three piers were opened; Blackpool Tower was constructed, the Winter Gardens and Opera House were built, the Blackpool Illuminations began

• At its peak, Blackpool was receiving around 19 million holiday makers a year - nearly half the population of England – but in the early 1960's Blackpool went into decline, as did all British holiday resorts. Just as cheap rail travel brought the crowds to Blackpool in its heyday so cheap air flights took them to the sunny beaches of the Mediterranean coast and their more dependable weather.

• Blackpool now receives around 10 million visitors a year, but they are often only day-visitors with different social and economic characteristics.

The Local Economy• Reduced visitor numbers by some 2 million since 2002, a reduction in stay from 5 days to 2

days

• Lack of private sector investment as a consequence of declining visitor numbers and falling confidence;

• Declining quality of the visitor offer within a tired and outdated infrastructure and urban environment;

• The lowest average wage in the UK (earning £86 per week less than the North West average and £105 less than the national average) in a labour market characterised by seasonality and a low proportion of higher paid occupations;

• High levels of unemployment (23% of the working age population claiming a work related benefit);

• Large numbers of residents claiming incapacity benefits, over 13% of all working age, the 14th highest proportion of claimants in the UK.

A Brighter Future?

• Blackpool is currently undergoing a significant program of redevelopment – Re:Blackpool – and the local council has implemented strategies to cope with the impact of the 10 million or so tourists each year.

• They have also attempted many schemes to restore Blackpool back to its former glory, ensuring the continuing success of tourism in the area (the most significant local employer!)

• In your groups read the information. Each group will be focusing on ONE aspect of the management and regeneration of Blackpool

• You will then, in your rows, teach each other - ending up with a completed table.

• Remember you are looking for the impacts of large numbers of visitors, strategies to manage them and the effectiveness of these strategies in securing a future for Blackpool. Facts and figures are essential

Impact Strategy Effectiveness?

Anti-social behaviour caused by excessive amounts of alcohol: Blackpool has 130 licensed premises within its 1 square mile town centre; it has become a popular destination for Stag and Hen party weekenders

Think/Challenge scheme – licensees must challenge anyone who looks under 25 to show ID Code of Conduct scheme – Stag and hen parties sign up to an agreed code of conduct at their accommodation in return for free entrance into pubs and club.

85% of licensees agree that Think/Challenge is a very effective way of reducing underage drinking – sales to young people in 2007 fell by 30% Pubs have had their licences to serve alcohol suspended. 50% of licensees agree that the code of conduct is effective, although 25% think it isn’t as the sole purpose of people coming is to get drunk and nothing the Police will say will change that!

Traffic congestion caused by cars entering the town: Blackpool has a population of approx. 150,000, but has 17 million visits each year

The numerous people who arrive by rail and coach (and an increasing number who arrive by air) are encouraged to remain loyal to that form of transport by improvements to the coach and train station (and the airport).Improvements have also been made to the electric tram system to encourage people to use these rather than cars – 16 new Flexitrams were introduced in 2011A Safe Cycle Network has been introduced around the town as well as a Hire-a-Bike Scheme (introduced in 2009)

A reduction of the number of visitors arriving by car has occurred, reducing accidents and air pollution in the town centre Blackpool has been selected by Cycling England as a Cycle Town

SuperCasino Bid Failure:Much of the regeneration of Blackpool had focused on building ‘Las-Vegas’ style SuperCasinos, but the bid was, surprisingly, won by Manchester.

On the site earmarked for the SuperCasino, Re:Blackpool has drawn up plans for a Conference and Leisure Quarter

The development is expected to bring between £200 to £450 million of capital investment and between 4.2m and 5.5m of visits per annum. It is hoped that the initial phase of development will generate between 2500 and 3400 jobs.

Cheap, poor quality accommodation which encourages a ‘lower class’ of tourists e.g. Stag and Hen weekenders

A new Blackpool Quality Standard Mark has been introduced aimed to improve hotel and other accommodation – an awards system has been introduced to recognise the best provision in the tourist industry

Since their introduction in 2004, the Blackpool Tourism Awards have attracted an annual increase in both the quality and quantity of entries: over 170 entries for the 16 categories were received in 2011.

What is the Importance of the Illuminations?

• Switched on in late August and run until November.

• The Lights’ cable and wiring stretches more than 74 miles (120km) and there are more than 400,000 lamps of various types and styles.

• More than 3.5 million visitors flocked to Blackpool to see the Illuminations in 2011 – extending the tourist season by 2-3 months

Blackpool’s attempt at advertising…

• http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6xgxkxqqUH0