Southport - England’s Classic Resort
Southport - England’s Classic Resort
Why ‘Classic Resort’?
What is a ‘Classic Resort’?
What has been achieved so far?
What about the future?
Why ‘Classic Resort’?
Need to respond to changing times!
Rising customer expectations
Holidays taken abroad
Growth in short breaks
Shopping as leisure pastime
Renaissance of Liverpool and Manchester
Cash rich – time poor
Increasingly competitive business tourism market
What is a ‘Classic Resort’?
Attractive for its sense of quiet sophistication
and its preservation, in a modern way, of the
spirit of the traditional seaside resort
What is a ‘Classic Resort’?
Exemplary respect for architectural and
environmental heritage
Pristine built and natural environment
Quality shopping
Quality accommodation
Quality food and beverage
Vibrant and varied cultural programme
The Story So Far……..
Over £200 million investment over last decade
The Vincent Hotel,Ramada Plaza Hotel,
Formby Hall Golf Resort & Spa
Southport Theatre & Convention Centre
Chapel Street pedestrianisation
Lord Street Gardens / War Memorial
Pier refurbished plus new tram
Promenade - sea defence wall
Ocean Plaza leisure & retail centre
Marine Way Bridge
Eco Centre
Dunes Splash World
……. The Future
The Atkinson
Southport Market
Marine Park Development
Lord Street Retail Quarter
Kings Gardens
Any
Questions?
Target Markets / Products
Leisure Short Breaks / Daytrips
•Events
•Shopping / Dining
•Coast & Countryside
Conferences
Golf
Group travel
Group Travel
Who we Work With
• Coach / Bus Operators
• Group Travel Organisers
Types of Visit
• Day Trips
• Short Breaks Based in the Region
• Short breaks Based in Southport
What we Offer
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•
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•
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Coach Drop-off Points
Secure Coach Parking
Driver Facilities
Driver Passport Incentive Scheme
Group Discounts to Events and Attractions
Meet & Greet Service
Discount Voucher books for Passengers
Dedicated Travel Trade Officer
Marketing & Promotion
• Trade Shows (Best of Britain & Ireland, Great
Days Out, Group Leisure Travel Trade Show,
Operator Events)
• Travel Trade Newsletter
• PR
• Advertising
• Sales (event tickets, attraction admissions etc.)
• Website
• Print (including Travel Trade Guide)
Industry Recognition
• CPT Coach Friendly Status
• UK Coach Awards ‘Most Coach Friendly Local
Authority’ (Winner 2009 & 2010)
• UK Coach Tourism Awards ‘Town or City of the
Year’ (Winner 2009, Finalist 2010 & 2011)
• CPT North West Annual Dinner Dance held in
Southport 2010, 2011 and confirmed for 2012
• Coach Hosts won ‘Team of the Year’ for 2010 at
Southport Ambassador Awards in March
• Winner of IRU Trophy 2011
Where are we now?
Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
June
July
Aug
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec
Total
2000
36
27
46
163
260
477
608
497
465
173
66
65
2883
2001
61
49
58
179
316
536
759
577
565
213
122
82
3517
2002
58
66
113
195
323
665
581
756
462
273
150
82
3666
2003
42
62
112
238
308
742
656
881
525
285
206
127
4184
2004
62
105
157
244
335
773
621
914
565
310
224
112
4422
2005
86
116
171
218
308
645
672
878
486
291
260
159
4290
2006
83
111
138
301
377
541
826
672
549
343
285
191
4417
2007
159
113
171
299
333
603
784
559
527
314
290
184
4336
2008
194
132
262
231
397
552
784
590
503
312
288
200
4445
2009
152
164
183
241
460
603
797
645
545
312
305
204
4611
2010
178
195
260
318
489
675
705
935
624
376
285
212
5252
Financial Impact
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•
•
•
In 2010 we welcomed 5,252 coaches
On average each brought 40 passengers
That’s 210,080 visitors
Average day spend - £31
Total Economic Impact for Southport
of circa £6,612,480