Wirral brings in more than £250m worth of tourism (From Wirral Globe)

Wirral brings in more than £250m worth of tourism

12:38pm Thursday 18th October 2012 in News By Stephanie Cureton

Cllr Chris Meaden, Lorna Tyson, Kevin Reed, chair of WTBN and director of Ness Gardens; and council leader Phil Davies, Wirral

WIRRAL brought in more than £250m worth of tourism last year, a new report has revealed.

Figures from the Northwest Research Agency showed how the borough attracted millions of tourists for short breaks and days out.

It highlighted how the visitor economy has increased by 13% over the last five years, while the number of visitors staying in local hotels and guesthouses had also shot up in the same period.

And Wirral Council leader Phil Davies believes the improvement shows Wirral’s tourism industry is surviving in the current economic climate.

Councillor Davies said: “Wirral now attracts more than 6.5 million day and short break visitors annually and employs 4,200 full time equivalent jobs in the tourism sector. An independent report also states that the borough’s visitor economy has increased by a substantial 13% over the last five years.

“This is very encouraging news and is testament to the work of the Wirral Tourism Business Network and the council’s Destination Marketing team. Their joint work has resulted in this fantastic achievement for the local economy and is proof of the strategic approach that is being taken to help sustain and grow businesses during this very difficult economic climate.”

It is believed that major events such as the Ricoh Women’s British Open at the Royal Liverpool Golf Club in Hoylake played a key role in boosting the number of visitor to the borough.

And Lorna Tyson, manager of Mere Brook House, Thornton Hough and deputy chairman of the Wirral Tourism Business Network, said a string of press visits and new marketing campaigns had also helped increase numbers.

She said: “This is brilliant news for Wirral’s tourism businesses, particularly during this very challenging time and proves we are not only sustaining our sector but actually bucking the trend.

“The council’s development of a business network for tourism some five years ago, has certainly helped with this and their annual action plan, including their marketing campaign work such as this year’s Wirral Year of Coast and Countryside, tourism literature, programme of high profile events, press visits and soon to be launched online accommodation booking system, are definitely helping us market ourselves better and further.”