Blackpool conjures up images of good old-fashioned seaside fun with donkey rides, kiss-me-quick hats, fish ‘n’ chips and sticks of rock, however this famous seaside resort is very much living in the 21st century and is reaping the rewards of the recent spate of investment and redevelopment.
Photo by Mark mc neill on Unsplash
Upsurge in visitor numbers
Blackpool has long been a favourite of holidaymakers looking for a value-for-money vacation close to home, however recent years have seen a notable upsurge in visitors to the famous seaside resort throughout the year. The Fylde coast is well known for boasting some of the best beaches in the UK and throughout the summer months they are thronged with holidaymakers from across the nation and even further afield while the most popular Blackpool hotels are often full to bursting in July and August. Indeed, with the Blackpool Illuminations taking place between August and the end of December, the town has witnessed an increasing number of visitors throughout the winter months and this shows little sign of abating any time soon.
Records set to be broken in 2024
This is all great news for a tourism industry which was rocked following the Covid-19 restrictions and the recent injection of investment into the town and its facilities is a clear indication of the optimism which is prevalent right now. Blackpool is quite simply booming and the indications are that the 2024 summer season will once again break records. With visitors being forced to vacate closer to home during the travel restrictions in 2020 and 2021, many have rediscovered the benefits of holidaying in Blackpool and the surrounding area. The direct result of this is that investment in the infrastructure of the town has been ramped up and this in turn has resulted in increased accommodation, one of the most recent new arrivals on the promenade being Hampton by Hilton Blackpool.
Value for money
This is just one of many new high-end hotels to have arrived on the Fylde coast and it complements the many existing hotels, guest houses and bed and breakfasts of which Blackpool has a great many. Indeed, the range and variety of accommodation available in Blackpool is second only to London in the UK and almost every taste is catered for here. There is a huge and somewhat bewildering choice of budget hotels and guest houses in Blackpool, most of which offer excellent value for money while there are an increasing number of four star and five star hotels such as the award-winning BLVD and Big Blue Hotel Blackpool, both of which are situated close to the Pleasure Beach on the South Shore. The traditional terraced guest house has long been a feature of the typical Blackpool summer holiday and they too can provide an inexpensive break for families on a budget, a great many of these being within walking distance of the main attractions in town.
Investment and Redevelopment
Alongside the investment and redevelopment of new and existing hotels has been an improvement in the public transport infrastructure throughout Blackpool and the surrounding area. The famous old Blackpool trams – while still operating as a heritage attraction – have given way to a brand-new fleet of up to date 21st century trams which offer a much improved service between Fleetwood to the north and Starr Gate to the south. The tram system is currently being extended to serve a new development at Blackpool North railway station, while a new fleet of all-electric buses are set to take to the streets. To the south of the town, Blackpool Airport is an under-used facility and there are currently hopes that direct scheduled flights may be relaunched to link the city with several UK and Irish destinations, while plans are afoot to improve the rail services between the town and the rest of the country.
Moving in the right direction
All of this clearly underlines that Blackpool is a success story and while there is certainly room for improvement, the signs are that the Lancashire resort is moving very much in the right direction. Tourism plays a huge part in the economy of the town and the massive increase in visitor numbers in recent years has brought about its own benefits, not least increased investment and redevelopment. Many new projects are in the pipeline which will transform several areas of the resort while recent developments have already improved certain aspects, not least around the promenade area and town centre.
Year-round seaside resort
Far from being a seasonal tourist destination, Blackpool has transformed itself into a year-round seaside resort with many attractions staying open throughout the winter months and the ever-popular Blackpool Illuminations being extended to run right through to the start of January. The main attractions such as Blackpool Tower, the Pleasure Beach, Blackpool Zoo and the three piers have all reported increased visitor numbers compared with the years prior to the Covid-19 restrictions and the indications are that this growth will continue well into the future.
Traditional values
Blackpool has continually reinvented itself to meet differing needs and tastes, however the seaside resort has kept alive its traditional values and continues to provide holidaymakers with a great range of activities, entertainment and attractions. In an ever-changing world, long may this continue!
