Blackpool has implemented several strategies to improve the tourist industry and ensure its continued success. Millions of pounds have been spent on upgrading facilities, improving attractions, and promoting year-round events. Old buildings have been replaced, hotels upgraded, beaches cleaned, and new attractions added. This includes converting an airfield into a golf course and zoo and adding new rides annually to the Pleasure Beach. Blackpool promotes off-season events to keep the industry thriving throughout the year.

1. SP Q6b Explain the effectiveness of strategies put in place to ensure
that the tourist industry continues to be a success in your chosen
location. (4)
Blackpool is focusing on improving its image. The Blackpool masterplan spent
millions of pounds in its bid to host a super casino. Since 2001 efforts have
been made to smarten up Blackpool by pulling down old buildings and landscaping
car parks. Grants have been given to upgrade hotels and smaller failing hotels
have been converted into self catering holiday flats. The beaches have been
cleaned up and beach facilities have been improved. An old derelict airfield site
has been redeveloped with a zoo, an exclusive hotel and an international
standard golf course. Major attractions like the illuminations have also had
more investment so that there are new attractions each year and similarly the
Pleasure beach invest in new rides so there is always something ‘new’ for the
visitor. Blackpool has tried to promote being an all year destination and has
invested in undercover attractions such as converting the old open air swimming
pool into the Sandcastle leisure pool with slides and flumes. It promotes of off
season events such as political party conferences, festivals and dance
competitions to ensure the industry can be successful throughout the year.
SC 10 Q6c. Explain why it is important for the tourist industry in either a
National Park or a coastal resort in the UK to be successful. (4)
Blackpool’s main function is tourism, it attracts millions of tourists each year who
contribute some £435 million to the local economy so it is very important to
maintain Blackpool as the UK’s No 1 tourist fun spot. There are around 3500
hotels, guest houses and holiday flats and local people depend on tourism having
jobs working in the hotels, cafes, restaurants as well as entertainment provision
for tourists like the Pleasure beach, amusement arcades, zoo etc.