Blackpool tourism worth £2.15bn as minister Stephanie Peacock visits resort before bank holiday weekend

Tourism generated £2.15 billion for Blackpool last year, as the town prepares to welcome visitors over the bank holiday weekend.

Tourism Minister Stephanie Peacock visited Blackpool’s iconic Winter Gardens and Pleasure Beach to see how the town’s visitor economy is supporting local jobs, businesses and communities. Blackpool welcomed 23.2 million tourists in 2024 – a 7.7 per cent increase on the previous year – with tourism supporting more than 23,000 full-time jobs.

The visit comes as millions of people prepare to holiday in the UK over the bank holiday weekend, with 10.6 million Brits planning an overnight holiday trip and an estimated £4.3 billion boost expected for the economy.

Ms Peacock was joined by Chris Webb, MP for Blackpool South, and met Kate Shane, Managing Director of Blackpool Tourism Ltd, to discuss the importance of tourism to the local area, as well as the opportunities and challenges facing businesses in the sector.

“From the Blackpool Tower and Winter Gardens to the Pleasure Beach and world-famous illuminations, Blackpool has a proud heritage as one of the UK’s most iconic coastal destinations,” said Minister for Tourism and Place Stephanie Peacock. “The millions of people who visit each year support local businesses, sustain thousands of jobs and demonstrate the vital role tourism plays in driving growth and regeneration in coastal communities.

“Ahead of the bank holiday weekend, we’re determined to support destinations like Blackpool to thrive though investment, stronger visitor experiences, and our ambitious plans to grow the visitor economy across the whole country.”

2.4m jobs

Blackpool is one of the UK’s best-known and much-loved seaside destinations, with tourism playing a vital role in the town’s economy. The bank holiday weekend will also be the final opportunity for people in Blackpool and across the UK to benefit from the Government’s Great British Summer Savings scheme, which ends on September 1, 2026.

The scheme provides families with discounted access to attractions and leisure activities including theme parks, soft play centres and cinemas, while supporting businesses that rely on summer footfall.

Tourism supports 2.4 million jobs across the UK and contributed £147 billion in direct and indirect GDP impact by 2024. Its economic value is forecast to grow to £161 billion annually by 2030, supporting an additional 175,000 jobs.

Kate Shane MBE, Managing Director of Blackpool Tourism Limited said: “We are extremely grateful to Stephanie Peacock MP for taking the time to visit Blackpool and see first-hand the fantastic businesses that make our tourism sector so vibrant and successful.

“This summer, attractions, restaurants and transport operators have been able to help visitors make their money go further through the Government’s Great British Summer Savings initiative, making it even more affordable to enjoy everything our resort has to offer.

“As we look ahead to a busy bank holiday weekend, the visit provided the perfect opportunity for Stephanie to experience the vital role tourism plays in Blackpool’s economy. Our visitor economy supports thousands of jobs across the Fylde Coast and continues to be a major driver of investment, growth and opportunity for our community.”

‘I’m constantly banging the drum for Blackpool’

The Government has set an ambition to welcome 50 million international visitors annually by 2030, supported by a forthcoming Visitor Economy Growth Strategy aimed at increasing visitor flows, boosting value and delivering sustainable growth across regional visitor economies.

It has also announced a review of how business rates are calculated for pubs and hotels in England and Wales, alongside a £3.38 million investment through the Connected Destinations Fund, led by VisitEngland, to help destinations develop stronger visitor experiences and drive sustainable tourism growth.

Next month, the Government will convene local government and business representatives in Blackpool to discuss how it can best support the regeneration and long-term prosperity of seaside towns.

Chris Webb, MP for Blackpool South said: "As chair of the All Party Parliamentary Group for Tourism and Hospitality I’ve worked closely with Stephanie in Parliament and I’m constantly banging the drum for Blackpool, telling her how brilliant it is to visit. So it's great to finally get her up here to see it for herself.

“I’m excited to show her all the reasons why Blackpool is the beating heart of British seaside tourism and why it deserves recognition and investment at the very top of government.”