Nostalgia forms key part of Norfolk’s 2010 holiday brochure
February 7th, 2010
Norfolk’s tourist attractions are banking on 2010 proving to be yet another bumper year as holiday-makers rediscover what the county has to offer, including a trip back to their childhood.
Speaking at the launch of Norfolk Tourist Attractions‘ Association’s (NTAA) 2010 brochure, chairman Peter Williamson said short break and holiday bookings were already strong for this year.
He said after last year’s so-called staycations, with Brits suffering under the recession choosing to holiday in the UK, people had “rediscovered Norfolk” through a nostalgia for holidays they used to have as youngsters.
With more of the same predicted for this year, the county’s attractions are investing in what they have to offer, he said.
That includes the NTAA printing more than 500,000 brochures to promote Norfolk and north Suffolk’s attractions.
And it is paying off.
At a recent trade exhibition in London, NTAA director Lydia Smith said their stand was inundated with based coach companies and tour operators wanting more information about Norfolk as a destination.
Mr Williamson said: “Following on from 2009, which was a very good year for Norfolk tourism as a whole compared to the rest of the country, 2010 could be one of the strongest years for many years.
“Short breaks and holiday break bookings are already very positive compared to this time last year. People are rediscovering just how good Norfolk is as a holiday destination.
“The recession made people look back to their childhood holidays and how good Norfolk is.”
The EDP is also helping the industry by running a Holiday Here campaign.
Another boost for the industry was that more people were asking about holidays in spring and autumn, what Mr Williamson called shoulder holidays – a time of year attractions “crave” to get more visitors, he said.
Norfolk’s high profile as a film location and as the set of Dad’s Army had helped, he said.
He said some of Norfolk’s holiday parks had experienced increased visitor numbers on the previous year, some upwards of 25pc last year, bringing extra numbers in for the county’s other attractions.
Merrivale Model Village, which Mr Williamson runs, saw a 9pc increase, he said.
“Everyone had been so nervous about 2009 but at the end of it everyone had been quite busy and now we are confident about the coming year.
“And now many are investing in their sites, everyone is spending money again because they are confident in what is coming.”
The association, which has been running for nearly 20 years, has 85 members covering 105 sites across Norfolk.
Their brochures will be distributed to more than 3,400 outlets throughout the East of England.
This year’s brochure includes two new members: the Woad Centre at Beetley near Dereham, and World Horse Welfare, a charity dedicated to caring for horses, with a visitor centre based at Hall Farm in Snetterton.
Opened in 2007 by farmer Ian Howard and his wife, the Woad Centre uses woad, a type of plant they grow in fields near the centre at Beetley, near Dereham, to make a natural dye once used by ancient Britons including Boudicca.
It is believed it is the only place in the UK growing woad on this level.
They then use the natural dye to colour a whole range of products, from towels to bed covers, jumpers and silk scarves. They also stock items made by craftsmen and women in Norfolk who use their dye.
All are made from as natural fibres as possible, including from bamboo.
The couple’s latest line is joining forces with a London-based entrepreneur who is making a new style of jean and matching t-shirts to be dyed in natural indigo by the Howards.
The jeans are to go on sale in the UK and the designer is looking to take them to the US as well.
The centre offers dyeing demonstrations and workshops, has an exhibition and shop. It is open at Easter and from May 1 to Christmas.
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