People 'holding back' on booking holidays amid rising costs

Rising fuel prices are "just another nail in the coffin" affecting holiday bookings in Blackpool, a hotelier has said.

Paul Gregory-Ward, from the Corona Hotel on Clifton Drive, said "people are holding back" from booking holidays because "they are just not sure where the economy is going".

But Gerard Walsh, who runs the Tudor Rose Hotel on Coronation Street, said he believed bookings would pick up over summer.

"If the cost of air travel does go up significantly, people will be less likely go abroad for those quick getaways and more likely to come to places like Blackpool," he said.

"In a recession or difficult times, holiday resorts tend to do extremely well," he added.

Chris Rinder, from the Fossil Tree Hotel in Bispham, said though the Easter weekend "was busy as usual" he had "not noticed any real change in booking patterns in the past few weeks".

"We tend to experience a surge in spring bookings once we have a sustained warm spell, which is yet to arrive this year," he said.

But Mr Gregory-Ward, who has been a hotelier for 25 years, said the cost of living is a big factor and more holidaymakers were looking for cheaper, last-minute deals.

He said "people are seeing what's left at the end of the month".

"At the peak times you don't have to give discounts, but there are other times where you have to sort of lower your prices, but be realistic for what you get," he said.

"A lot of places are doing payday weekend deals, so it's payday, the sun's good, we'll put a special offer on.

"The only way we're going to get through it is by offering the right prices without being undervalued to ourselves and being fair to the guests. It's a fine line."

Last summer saw the creation of Blackpool Tourism, which now oversees and manages major town attractions, including Blackpool Tower, Sandcastle Waterpark, and Madame Tussauds, previously operated by Merlin Entertainments.

Formed by Blackpool Council , it aims to boost the local economy and reinvest profits into town services, and has just launched its new "Ultimate Ticket" offering entry to six major attractions for £65.

Ian White of StayBlackpool, a premier trade association for holiday accommodation in the resort and on the Fylde coast, said he believed it would "encourage people to stay longer in the town, and bring more money in".

"Now Blackpool is on the short list for City of Culture 2029, we're also seeing the town being talked about in a positive light".

While not strictly a city, Blackpool is the 45th largest place in the UK, with a population of 141,500 and a visitor economy valued at £2bn, which meets the bidding criteria for both Town and City of Culture competitions.

Kate Shane MBE, managing director of Blackpool Tourism, said: "Blackpool's strength lies in offering a complete holiday experience for every budget.

"While global economic factors like fuel prices are always a consideration for travellers, we remain committed to accessibility through our programme of high-quality free events, world-class attractions and great-value initiatives like our new Ultimate Ticket.

"Whether visiting from the Fylde coast or further afield, our focus remains on providing a high-value experience that ensures Blackpool remains the top choice for families."

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