Tourists flock to town for Easter (From Thisisdorset)

Tourists flock to town for Easter

9:28am Monday 9th April 2007 in

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BOURNEMOUTH hotels were "bursting at the seams" during the Bank Holiday weekend as forecasts for fine weather helped entice thousands of tourists to the South Coast.

With temperatures higher than in many of Europe's traditional holiday hotspots, families and day-trippers hit the beaches as VisitBritain revealed that the tide was finally turning for traditional seaside resorts.

The national tourism agency estimated that of the 22 per cent of Britons going on holiday over Easter, 61 per cent would stay in Britain.

Eight of the top 20 destinations visited by British tourists last year were beach resorts. Sian Brenchley of VisitBritain said: "There are huge numbers of domestic tourists who have fond memories of their own seaside breaks and, as they grow older, they want to recreate this with their own families."

According to the British Resorts and Destinations Association, the number of Britons who ventured to the seaside rose from 19 million in 2003 to 21 million last year. Those visitors spent an estimated £14 billion.

Director Peter Hampson said: "There has been significant investment - both public and private - in British coastal towns and resorts over the past ten years. People are only just beginning to realise this, which explains why visiting the coast is becoming more popular."

In Bournemouth many hotels and guesthouses displayed No Vacancy signs and last-minute bookings were at a premium as unseasonally warm temperatures ensured the resort's busiest weekend of the year.

Kevin Wood, director of the Cumberland, Suncliff and Cliffeside hotels on the East Cliff, said all three had been "bursting at the seams.

"By Saturday morning our 280 rooms were full and we were having to turn hundreds of people away."

He added: "I am amazed at the demand for rooms in Bournemouth and think that this town has finally shaken off its retirement image and is now known for its great café culture and cosmopolitan image."