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| Scarborough enjoys 'staycation' boost | Scarborough enjoys 'staycation' boost |
| (about 8 hours later) | |
| By Catherine Marston BBC News in Scarborough Scarborough is the third most popular holiday destination in England | |
| As Scarborough gears up for its busiest bank holiday on record, the town is buzzing with holidaymakers enjoying the attractions, the beach and some sunshine too. | |
| Families are already enjoying picnics and paddles in the sea. | |
| The donkeys are lined up ready to take children off on rides and all along the seafront ice cream and candy floss sellers, restaurants and cafes are seeing a brisk trade. | |
| Scarborough is the third most popular holiday destination in England. | Scarborough is the third most popular holiday destination in England. |
| The town has been welcoming families for more than 360 years. In 2009 it is enjoying far higher hotel occupancy rates than last year, and is seeing an increase in the numbers of people staying this summer for a holiday. | The town has been welcoming families for more than 360 years. In 2009 it is enjoying far higher hotel occupancy rates than last year, and is seeing an increase in the numbers of people staying this summer for a holiday. |
| It's not the only resort to be benefiting from the recession either. Nearly 12m Britons will be taking a break this weekend - a bank holiday for England, Wales and Northern Ireland. Just one in five will be going overseas. | It's not the only resort to be benefiting from the recession either. Nearly 12m Britons will be taking a break this weekend - a bank holiday for England, Wales and Northern Ireland. Just one in five will be going overseas. |
| Figures from tourism organisation Visit England suggest more people are trying to save money this year and are enjoying holidaying at home. | Figures from tourism organisation Visit England suggest more people are trying to save money this year and are enjoying holidaying at home. |
| At the Sealife Centre in Scarborough, visitors were queuing around the car park. | At the Sealife Centre in Scarborough, visitors were queuing around the car park. |
| We do like European holidays but we think British resorts can offer just as much Derek Evans, from Doncaster | We do like European holidays but we think British resorts can offer just as much Derek Evans, from Doncaster |
| Attractions across Yorkshire have seen a 17% increase in business this year, as more families are holidaying in the UK or are enjoying more day trips. | Attractions across Yorkshire have seen a 17% increase in business this year, as more families are holidaying in the UK or are enjoying more day trips. |
| Centre manager Tamsin Mutton-McKnight says: "We are seeing an increase in visitor numbers this year compared with 2008. | Centre manager Tamsin Mutton-McKnight says: "We are seeing an increase in visitor numbers this year compared with 2008. |
| "We are finding that more people are holidaying in the resort this summer and looking out for visitor attractions that will cater for the whole family." | "We are finding that more people are holidaying in the resort this summer and looking out for visitor attractions that will cater for the whole family." |
| A few miles out of Scarborough, the Pinewood Holiday Park is so busy they say they have had to turn away more than 1,000 campers and caravanners this month alone. | A few miles out of Scarborough, the Pinewood Holiday Park is so busy they say they have had to turn away more than 1,000 campers and caravanners this month alone. |
| "Our bookings have gone up by 600% in the last three years" says owner Kerry Woodhead. | "Our bookings have gone up by 600% in the last three years" says owner Kerry Woodhead. |
| "By far the vast majority of our customers are from the UK, with many local to the region". | "By far the vast majority of our customers are from the UK, with many local to the region". |
| The site has room for caravans and tents and offers guests tipi accommodation as well. | The site has room for caravans and tents and offers guests tipi accommodation as well. |
| This is the first full season the specialised tents have been available, and Kerry says they have been full throughout the summer months, exceeding all their expectations. | This is the first full season the specialised tents have been available, and Kerry says they have been full throughout the summer months, exceeding all their expectations. |
| Bookings 'surge' | Bookings 'surge' |
| Their experience is reflected in national figures provided by the Camping and Caravanning Club. | Their experience is reflected in national figures provided by the Camping and Caravanning Club. |
| Spokesman Jon Dale says advanced bookings this year are up by 15%. | Spokesman Jon Dale says advanced bookings this year are up by 15%. |
| "We are experiencing a last minute surge in site bookings as members secure the pitches we have left for the remainder of the summer," he says. | "We are experiencing a last minute surge in site bookings as members secure the pitches we have left for the remainder of the summer," he says. |
| Down at the seafront the sounds of the Scarborough Spa Orchestra are filling the air. | Down at the seafront the sounds of the Scarborough Spa Orchestra are filling the air. |
| Staycations are benefitting many parts of the visitor economy | Staycations are benefitting many parts of the visitor economy |
| They perform regular concerts throughout the summer months and their outdoor venue at the spa complex, overlooking the sea, is spectacular. | They perform regular concerts throughout the summer months and their outdoor venue at the spa complex, overlooking the sea, is spectacular. |
| This is another of Scarborough's very popular attractions and Val and Derek Evans from Doncaster are among the hundreds enjoying the morning concert. | This is another of Scarborough's very popular attractions and Val and Derek Evans from Doncaster are among the hundreds enjoying the morning concert. |
| They are here on holiday for a week with their grandchildren, and say they find British resorts offer everything they could need. | They are here on holiday for a week with their grandchildren, and say they find British resorts offer everything they could need. |
| "We do like European holidays," says Derek, "but we think British resorts can offer just as much, and Scarborough is perfect for families and children." | "We do like European holidays," says Derek, "but we think British resorts can offer just as much, and Scarborough is perfect for families and children." |
| The couple say the recession has played a part in their decision not to holiday abroad, but nevertheless they feel their UK holiday is just as good. | The couple say the recession has played a part in their decision not to holiday abroad, but nevertheless they feel their UK holiday is just as good. |
| 'Staycationing' | 'Staycationing' |
| Yorkshire certainly does seem to appeal to many British holidaymakers. According to a recent regional visitor survey, 96% said they would recommend the county to others and 89% were likely to return within two years. | Yorkshire certainly does seem to appeal to many British holidaymakers. According to a recent regional visitor survey, 96% said they would recommend the county to others and 89% were likely to return within two years. |
| Welcome to Yorkshire, the county's tourist board, is delighted to see the region doing so well in a recession. | Welcome to Yorkshire, the county's tourist board, is delighted to see the region doing so well in a recession. |
| Chief executive Gary Verity welcomes the boost for the region, saying "staycationing" is has been great news for its visitor economy. | Chief executive Gary Verity welcomes the boost for the region, saying "staycationing" is has been great news for its visitor economy. |
| He says it's now up to the resorts and attractions to make the most of this renewed interest and find ways of keeping tourists coming back year after year. | He says it's now up to the resorts and attractions to make the most of this renewed interest and find ways of keeping tourists coming back year after year. |
| "We do recognise that we need to build on this to ensure the region's tourism industry remains strong well into the future," he says. | "We do recognise that we need to build on this to ensure the region's tourism industry remains strong well into the future," he says. |
| At the Sealife Centre they understand that need to constantly develop in order to compete with cheap European holidays in years to come. | At the Sealife Centre they understand that need to constantly develop in order to compete with cheap European holidays in years to come. |
| "We regularly invest in the centre, in order to ensure our visitors get the best possible experience" explains Ms Mutton-McKnight. | "We regularly invest in the centre, in order to ensure our visitors get the best possible experience" explains Ms Mutton-McKnight. |
| That is just the sort of attitude Mr Verity believes the British tourism industry needs right now. | That is just the sort of attitude Mr Verity believes the British tourism industry needs right now. |
| James Berresford, chief executive of Visit England, says he is delighted to see that the visitor numbers are already stacking up well. | James Berresford, chief executive of Visit England, says he is delighted to see that the visitor numbers are already stacking up well. |
| "All of our research so far this year, and anecdotal evidence from the industry, confirms that Britons are indeed rediscovering the joys of holidaying at home in 2009." | "All of our research so far this year, and anecdotal evidence from the industry, confirms that Britons are indeed rediscovering the joys of holidaying at home in 2009." |
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