County's tourism boost despite ongoing challenges

Lincolnshire has reported a boost in tourism accounting for 28,700 jobs, despite ongoing challenges facing the sector, according to the council.

Lincolnshire County Council said that for 2024 the county saw more than a 3% rise in the visitor economy from the previous year.

It said the economic impact of tourism and hospitality across Greater Lincolnshire was measured at £3.02bn for 2024, representing a huge milestone for the industry.

Hayley Toyne, growth manager at the authority, said events were "key drivers" to bringing visitors in as well as places to stay and places to eat.

It was the first time Greater Lincolnshire's visitor economy had exceeded £3bn, the council said, despite challenges with fluctuating visitor numbers and rising costs.

Ms Toyne said: "We're really pleased to see growth because it's been really a challenging season for the visitor economy in 2024.

"There were lots of challenges really from the cost of living rising, through to just things as simple as the weather."

She said it was still a challenging time for businesses and the number of events held in the county last year had brought people in.

Ms Toyne said there was a focus on film and television tourism with fans coming to see locations, for example the Netflix horror Frankenstein, which was filmed at Burghley House, near Stamford.

The council said nearly 30% of travellers now said television shows and movies influenced their travel plans.

Councillor Liam Kelly, executive councillor for growth at Lincolnshire County Council, said: "Rising costs weren't helped by poor weather last year, so it is a real testament to their hard-work, resilience and for Lincolnshire's pull as a great holiday destination."

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