Busy summer at tourist hotspots gives region's economy a boost
A SIZZLING summer for North Lincolnshire's tourism hotspots has seen millions pumped into the local economy.
More than 70,000 people visited the region's tourist attractions over the summer holiday period, with many venues reporting their best summer ever.
One of the driest summers in recent years and an increase in people spending their summer breaks in the UK have both contributed to a bumper year, according to tourism chiefs.
Councillor Mark Kirk, leader of North Lincolnshire Council, said: "We've seen a fantastic turnout at North Lincolnshire Council attractions this summer.
"Visitor numbers at North Lincolnshire Museum were up on last year and Waters' Edge Visitors Centre has had an exceptional season welcoming its 500,000th visitor in August.
"There was also a milestone reached at the 20-21 Visual Arts Centre where the attraction welcomed its 400,000th visitor.
"We have a wealth of excellent attractions in North Lincolnshire and this summer's events programme has proved a real crowd- puller with more than 6,000 people attending the crafty kids sessions at the Farming Museum at Normanby Hall Museum and Country Park.
"Tourism is a vital part of our economy and it's satisfying to see so many people are choosing to visit our corner of the world."
The tourism industry in North Lincolnshire currently employs almost 4,000 people and generates £167 million each year for the local economy.
At the start of the school summer holidays, The Forging Our Future campaign promoted the main attractions on offer throughout the region.
Over the summer holiday period the Waters' Edge Visitors Centre was the region's most popular attraction with 27,836 visiting the centre over the holidays, 4,000 more than last year.
On August 7 the £5.6 million centre also welcomed its 500,000th visitor since opening in 2006.
Discount season tickets also saw Normanby Hall welcome more than 20,000 people through the doors, while Wilderspin National School in Barton recorded its best summer visitor numbers.
Ian Wolseley, development officer at the school, said: "With the current economic climate we were expecting this summer to be down on previous years, but the figure has actually gone up.
"In particular our children's workshops were very popular and we also welcomed visitors from around the world, including China and Australia.
"It's been a very pleasing summer and it definitely helps us push ahead for the rest of the year."
The news comes after Prime Minister David Cameron stressed the importance of tourism to the recovery of the economy.
In a speech to tourism industry representatives, Mr Cameron stated his vision for the £115 billion-a-year industry and its importance to the UK.
Comments
by Scunny Bunny, Scunthorpe
Friday, September 10 2010, 6:55PM
“Ah! the Kirk maister speaks ,tourism ?
Come to Scunthorpe and see one of the many demolition sites that abound in our town along with the half finished construction projects .
The thriving town centre with its multitude of pound shops catering for the quaint locals ,many of whom are strangers to soap and water and washing powder for their rags,the yobs who seem to breed like rabbits and spend most of their time hanging around the town centre effing and blinding at the top of their inbred retarded voices . Unfortunatley you wont see any of the yobs and tramps until after lunch as they dont rise from semi hibernation until noon.
Next the sights and sounds after dark, Britannia corner which is barriered off .at night so the parents of the above yobs can be just as obnoxious as their offspring without getting run over while vomitting in the street .Along with the authentic market area much of which has been preserved in its original state even though approximatley 80% of it is unused.
Yes come to Scunthorpe its all here waiting for you.!!”