Watch more of our videos on Shots!
and live on Freeview channel 276

Earlier this month, The Gazette teamed up with Blackpool Council for the #GetBlackpoolBack campaign, asking resort residents to adhere to lockdown rules in order to allow the town to fully reopen on June 21.

And in the past few days, searches for hotels, attractions and bed and breakfasts by residents of Scotland have sky-rocketed - indicating their plans to return for some fun in the sun when it is legally permitted.

Yesterday, searches coming from Scotland for various different hotels relating to Blackpool had risen at a "breakout" rate - which means by more than 5,000 per cent.

Google hits coming from Scots searching for Blackpool accommodation have soared in recent days by over 5,000 per cent, in anticipation of the resort reopening to tourists in June.

And Google searches for specific hotels in the resort had risen by over 100 per cent, with additional increases in searches for Blackpool promotions and resort attraction the Pleasure Beach.

Coun Gillian Campbell, cabinet member for Tourism & Culture for Blackpool Council, said: “We are delighted that people are starting to plan for the day when they can come back to Blackpool and enjoy everything that we have to offer.

“Our tourism industry has been preparing for months for the long-awaited reopening so that visitors can have a safe and enjoyable experience.

“Blackpool has long had a very special relationship with the people of Scotland and we look forward to rolling out the welcome mat when they are able to return.”

Increases in searches for particular hotels by Scots were also recorded by Google in the past 24 hours (Thursday, March 18). Photo: Google Trends/JPI Media

The popularity of the resort with Scottish residents prompted Scotland's First Minister Nicola Sturgeon to ask them not to travel to the town in October last year.

Ms Sturgeon issued her guidance after saying at least 180 people in Scotland who tested positive for Covid-19 in October reported a recent trip to Blackpool.

At a Scottish government briefing she advised Scots against travelling to high-risk areas of England and singled out Blackpool as “associated with a large and growing number of Covid cases in Scotland”.

The guidance was met with criticism by Blackpool Council and hoteliers leader Claire Smith, who said accommodation bosses in the resort had worked hard to ensure they were Covid safe.

But the recent surge in Google searches coming from Scotland indicated that residents there were looking forward to revisiting when it is allowed.

Scots on hunt for resort holidays as Google searches for Blackpool accommodation soar