Tourism hits new peak as Blinders draw in visitors
THOMAS Shelby and his gang of Peaky Blinders helped bolster tourism in the region last year as a record 131 million visitors made a beeline for the gang’s old stomping ground.
The region recorded a 2.6 per cent increase in visitor numbers in 2018 compared with the previous year, thanks in no small part to the hit BBC TV drama and several major sporting and cultural events.
Spending by the region’s tourists contributed £12.6 billion to the West Midlands’ economy, a rise of 6.7 per cent on 2017, according to the newly-published data.
Hoteliers enjoyed a busy year courtesy of a 0.8 per cent increase in monthly average occupancy rates which reached an all-time high of 74.8 per cent.
Among the 2018 events which helped to attract tourists were the World Indoor Athletics Championships and launch of a Legoland Discovery Centre, both at Arena Birmingham, Edgbaston hosting the England v India Test match and the Godiva Festival in Coventry.
The region’s movie connections also proved a draw with the release of Ready Player One, the Steven Spielberg sci-fi film shot on location in Birmingham.
Overseas visitors contributed £16.7 million to the region as a result of so-called screen tourism, according to the new data, which also cites the global popularity of Peaky Blinders – which is partly filmed at the Black Country Living Museum – as a major draw.
Neil Rami, chief executive of the West Midlands Growth Company, said: “This is such an exciting time for the West Midlands.
“The region has made its mark, with record numbers flocking to enjoy our cultural, sporting, culinary and heritage offer.
“With an events calendar boasting the British Science Festival in September, the 2021 UK City of Culture in Coventry and the 2022 Commonwealth Games, the spotlight is on the West Midlands more than ever and we are determined to this.”
West Midlands Mayor Andy Street added: “The West Midlands is truly the best region in the UK and it is great to see that record numbers of visitors are enjoying everything we have to offer. Adding to the waves of visits to the region is the ongoing ripple effect that has been created by Peaky Blinders.
“The hit BBC show has helped to introduce the West Midlands to a new global audience, with the Peaky effect in full swing.
“Tours and events are selling out months in advance with tourists heading to the region to explore the places and stories associated with the show.”
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