A spectacular programme of marketing and events has been unveiled as Blackpool looks to celebrate its first full tourism season for three years.
At the annual season launch, the first to be held since 2019 because of COVID disruption, VisitBlackpool and resort partners showcased a myriad of new attractions, shows and events for the year ahead.
The plans were revealed to an audience of around 300 hoteliers and other tourism businesses at the launch event in the newly-opened £30m Conference & Exhibition Centre in the historic Winter Gardens. The plans include:
- A glorious parade of heritage trams along the seafront to mark the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee in June
- The unveiling of Odyssey, the biggest light installation ever created for the annual Illuminations display, which will once again be extended by two months
- The staging of the annual Switch-On concert in the iconic Blackpool Tower Ballroom in association with MTV with the event live-streamed to an audience around the globe
- New attractions including the Peter Rabbit-themed play zone on the Golden Mile and the much-anticipated return of the award-winning Valhalla thrill ride at Blackpool Pleasure Beach
- A full calendar of free events including the two-day Blackpool Air Show with the Red Arrows performing on both days, as well as the return of Ride The Lights, World Fireworks Championship Blackpool and the two-week Lightpool Festival
- Publication of a bumper entertainment guide containing hundreds of shows, musicals and concerts running from Easter to the end of the year
It was also revealed that a major new TV ad campaign is being developed in partnership with Merlin Entertainments. It will be aired from late May onwards as the resort seeks to capitalise on domestic staycations and maintain its place as the UK’s most popular seaside destination.
Cllr Lynn Williams, Leader of Blackpool Council, told the audience that the resort was committed to building on the success of last year when a £1m Council investment to kick-start the post-pandemic recovery resulted in record visitor numbers.
Cllr Williams said: “This is our first full year of tourism since 2019 and we are determined to make it a year to remember. Over the past two years we have worked extremely closely with our resort partners to ensure that Blackpool could emerge from the pandemic in a position of strength.
“Our substantial investment in marketing and events last year resulted in a spectacular recovery with some of the highest visitor numbers we have ever witnessed over the final part of the year.
“This year we will look to build on that with new events, the welcome return of some old favourites and one of the most ambitious TV campaigns we have run for many years.”
