Lancashire visitor economy generates an additional £136m in 2014

By Marketing Lancashire

12 Aug 2015

Marketing Lancashire has released the official visitor and economic impact figures for Lancashire 2014, which confirm six years of continued growth in the visitor economy and Lancashire’s increasing popularity as a destination for short breaks.

The number of nights spent by visitors in the county grew by 2.3 per cent with an average stay of 3.1 nights. This increase in visitor nights has also helped towards an overall increase of 3.8 per cent in total visitor spend of £136m to £3.68bn.

The three top volume areas in the county all saw growth in 2014. Blackpool accounting for the largest proportion, welcoming 16.8m visitors and helping to generate £1.33bn economic impact. Lancaster follows Blackpool with 7.1m visitors, generating £415m economic impact and Preston welcomed 6.6m visitors, generating £284m economic impact.

Over 8.1m visitors stayed in Lancashire as part of a holiday or short break, generating 24.7m (+2.3 per cent) nights spent in accommodation across the county.

Lancashire’s visitor economy continues to support around one in ten jobs across Lancashire, employing over 56,000 people. Lancashire’s new Visitor Economy Strategy, due to be launched early in the autumn, will support the sector’s future success and, together with a new Skills Action Plan for the visitor economy, will set out a consolidated vision and plans to support sector growth, including new jobs, over the next five years.

Ruth Connor, chief executive of Marketing Lancashire, said: "It is encouraging to see growth continue across Lancashire particularly in visitors staying longer and spending more money in the county. A day is simply not long enough to enjoy all that Lancashire has to offer and if day visitors, who still represent 87 per cent of all visitors, have a great time then the best news is that they want to come back to stay even longer.

“This growth is testament to the investment, commitment and hard work of Lancashire businesses who are constantly trying to improve the experience for visitors and deliver excellent customer service.

“It is also important to acknowledge the many accountants, solicitors, HR specialists, recruiters, colleges, universities, food producers, banks, creative agencies, IT companies and industry suppliers who support our tourism businesses and work in partnership with them to achieve more for Lancashire.

“2015 looks set to be another bumper year for tourism with several new and larger events taking place across the county. Our ambition is to continue to raise Lancashire’s profile to attract more visitors to the destination by focusing on our key strengths; food and drink, the great outdoors and heritage and culture, which give the county its distinct character and wide appeal.” The STEAM (Scarborough Tourism Economic Activity Monitor) model used by most DMOs, uses locally derived data from a variety of sources such as hotels, attractions, tourist information centres, events and other accommodation to estimate the number of visitors, revenue generated and employment supported by tourism. The STEAM model, used since 2009, provides the county with a continuous tourism economic impact data set which helps pinpoint trends, highlight areas of particular growth or those in need of support.

Enjoyed this? Read more from Marketing Lancashire

Latest news

1

Chiptech announces major innovation initiative at high-profile reception with the New Zealand Prime Minister in London. The Rt Hon Jonathan Reynolds, the Rt Hon Christopher Luxon and the Rt Hon Steve Reed (L-R Front Row) David Hammond, and Daniel Knowles

Chiptech announces major innovation initiative at high-profile reception with the New Zealand Prime Minister in London.

30 Apr 2025

2

Northstone secures full planning permission for 50 new homes in Edenfield Edenfield housing development

Northstone secures full planning permission for 50 new homes in Edenfield

29 Apr 2025

3

Ring Stones Maintenance and Construction celebrates completion of Dovestone Gardens Dovestone Gardens launch

Ring Stones Maintenance and Construction celebrates completion of Dovestone Gardens

29 Apr 2025

4

PHX Training welcomes new business leader to drive learner success Louise Kirby

PHX Training welcomes new business leader to drive learner success

29 Apr 2025

5

Lidl to invest half a billion pounds in its expansion as it eyes sites in Lancashire Lidl

Lidl to invest half a billion pounds in its expansion as it eyes sites in Lancashire

29 Apr 2025

Pc Prestonmacan Gif980x120 March
Background image for hub sign up block

LBV Hub

Leverage Lancashire Business View platforms

Post your news
Post your events
Post your offers
Build your network
Improve your SEO
Gain coverage in the magazine
Sign-up
Events
LBV122 May/June Launch Event
121 Lancashire Business View Magazine Launch
Networking
21 May 2025

LBV122 May/June Launch Event

Lancaster and Morecambe College, Lancaster, LA1 2TY

08:30 - 10:30

Sub36 Networking
Networking
11 Jun 2025

Sub36 Networking

British Jewellery School, Scorton, PR3 1BA

15:00 - 17:00

Lancashire Net Zero Carbon Conference
Net Zero Carbon Social 1200px 2
Networking
18 Jun 2025

Lancashire Net Zero Carbon Conference

Crow Wood Hotel & Spa Resort, Burnley, BB12 0RT

08:30 - 13:00

Lancashire Built Environment Conference 2025
BEC 315 X 315 Px
Networking
25 Sep 2025

Lancashire Built Environment Conference 2025

Blackpool Football Club, Blackpool, FY1 6HX

08:30 - 13:00

CMI Level 5 Management and Leadership Course
UCLanAerialCampus.jpg.jpg
LBV Hub Seminars
21 Feb 2025 - 21 Feb 2026

CMI Level 5 Management and Leadership Course

Preston Campus, Preston , PR1 2HE

09:00 - 17:00

CMI Level 5 Project Management Course
UCLanAerialCampus.jpg.jpg
LBV Hub Seminars
21 Feb 2025 - 21 Feb 2026

CMI Level 5 Project Management Course

Preston Campus, Preston, PR1 2HE

08:00 - 17:00

RISE - The Academy for Female Leaders and Managers
WENDY BOWERS RISE Illustrstion copy.jpg.jpg
LBV Hub Seminars
02 Apr 2025 - 08 Oct 2025

RISE - The Academy for Female Leaders and Managers

East Lancashire Chamber of Commerce, Clayton le Moors, BB5 5JR

09:00 - 15:30

Planning for the future + navigating Inheritance Tax changes
Planning for the future + navigating Inheritance Tax changes for website.png.png
LBV Hub Seminars
01 May 2025 - 01 May 2025

Planning for the future + navigating Inheritance Tax changes

Stanley House Hotel, Mellor, Blackburn, BB2 7NP, Blackburn, BB2 7NP

08:00 - 10:30

A night at the races
1.png.png
LBV Hub Dinners / Balls
02 May 2025 - 02 May 2025

A night at the races

Morecambe FC, Morecambe, LA4 4TB

19:00 - 23:59

Advantage: AI – A Workshop for Business Leaders – May 2
EV-land-2025-05B.png.png
LBV Hub Seminars
02 May 2025 - 02 May 2025

Advantage: AI – A Workshop for Business Leaders – May 2

Door4 Office, Burnley Wharf, Manchester Road, Burnley, BB11 1JG

09:00 - 11:00

Celebrating 50 years of KTP
UCLanAerialCampus.jpg.jpg
LBV Hub Networking
07 May 2025 - 07 May 2025

Celebrating 50 years of KTP

University of Central Lancashire , Preston, PR1 2HE

16:00 - 18:00

Research and Knowledge Exchange Showcase
13421_research_knowledge_exchange_2025_600x300.jpg.jpg
LBV Hub Awards
07 May 2025 - 08 May 2025

Research and Knowledge Exchange Showcase

University of Central Lancashire , Preston, PR1 2HE

09:00 - 17:00

Advertise with us

Reaching 50,000 members, our print, digital and event platforms offer a fantastic way to raise your business profile and help you grow.

Find out more Lbv121 Online Graphic
Subscribe now

Weekly news bulletin