Tourism in Blackpool, UK

Question 1

Blackpool, UK

Answer 1

• Town on the Lancashire coast with a population of about 143,000.
• Fourth largest settlement in the north-west of England behind Manchester, Liverpool and Warrington.
• The most popular tourist resort in the UK and has popular tourist attractions such as Pleasure Beach which is the UK’s most visited tourist attraction.
• This town is applicable to Butler’s model

Question 2

Exploration stage (1) of Blackpool, UK

Answer 2

• For many centuries Blackpool was little more than a village by the sea.
• In the 18th century it became a fashionable place to visit as many thought that bathing in the sea could cure diseases.
• However, Blackpool remained very small until there were improvements in communications.

Question 3

Involvement stage (2) of Blackpool, UK

Answer 3

• In 1781 a private road was built giving better access and the same year regular stagecoach services linked Blackpool to places like Halifax.
• It was the railway, though, that led to the most significant growth.
• Although there had been railways in the area before 1846, it was in this year that a link was built to Blackpool.
• The railways enabled workers from the industrial towns and cities of the north of England to escape from work and the urban smoke to enjoy the seaside and fresh air.

Question 4

Development stage (3) of Blackpool, UK

Answer 4

• Rapid population growth was experienced by Blackpool as it became more of an established resort. Population rose from around 500 at the start of 1800s to around 140000 at the start of the 2000s
• From the mid-19th century there was a series of major developments and projects in the town.
• These all encouraged the growth of the resort and attracted tourists in increasing numbers.
• It was in the late 19th century that Blackpool grew at a phenomenal rate and this growth continued until the mid-20th century.

Question 5

Consolidation stage (4) of Blackpool, UK

Answer 5

• To a certain extent Blackpool has been a victim of its own success.
• Like many coastal resorts, Blackpool has had problems associated with the sudden influx of visitors and late night drinking.
• Blackpool is a great place to have fun, but the police must control anti-social behaviour so that business interests – and the town’s year, Blackpool has remained one of Britain’s most popular resorts

Question 6

Stagnation stage (5) of Blackpool, UK

Answer 6

• Many British holiday resorts, including Blackpool, declined in the 1960s and 1970s. This was largely due to the growth in foreign travel, particularly to Mediterranean resorts, with their sandy beaches and much more reliable hot weather.
• This was helped by the expansion of package holidays and cheaper flights. This trend continued in the latter part of the 20th century with the growth of budget airlines and cheaper accommodation.
• Many people self-catered and bought apartments and timeshares abroad, making this decline more long-term.
• Blackpool was therefore facing a dilemma: it could either accept this decline or respond to it and try to reinvent itself as a resort.

Question 7

Rejuvenation stage (6) of Blackpool, UK

Answer 7

• In 1995 a new £2 million terminal building was declared open and in 2006 a £2 million refurbishment of the passenger terminal was completed to improve accessibility and transportation.
• Blackpool now hosts a number of major conferences including those of the main political parties and trade unions, with thousands of delegates to smaller gatherings. Examples include: Blackpool Dance Festival, Blackpool Chess Conference, Winter Gardens
• Blackpool illuminations which is a display of electric street lighting. The famous lights and displays, today using fibre-optic cables and lasers, are arranged along the entire length of the sea front each year.
• Blackpool has also marketed itself as a place for short breaks

Question 8

Overall position of Blackpool, UK

Answer 8

• Blackpool is continually striving to improve its position within the tourist industry.
• Although it has many natural and artificial attractions, like many other UK resorts it has had to battle against competition from foreign travel and the unreliable British weather.