Twenty seaside towns around the UK are to receive a cash boost for projects that bring new leisure and business opportunities to coastal communities. The money will support projects such as rejuvenating old heritage and leisure facilities, schemes to provide skills training and advice to help businesses embrace digital technology. Britain has been named as one of the most sought after destinations for international shoppers, with figures showing last year’s 18m visitors spent £4.5bn on retail therapy during their stay.
Arts Council England and VisitEngland have joined forces in order to boost cultural tourism across the country. A figure of £3m in Arts Council Lottery funding is to be invested in supporting destinations that have “real potential to grow”. There will be a number of coordinated events to encourage the development of arts and cultural experiences and targeted holiday packages for visitors; these will include cultural aspects as well as more traditional accommodation and transport elements.
