16C/61F Local Time 08:51Manston's Miles Better for reaching UK’s Top Tourism Magnets
A NEW survey shows that four UK cities on Manston Airport's destination board are amongst the country's top tourism magnets.
Visit Britain revealed that Edinburgh, Manchester, Glasgow and Inverness had come out on top for attracting tourists.
An analysis of overnight stays by overseas visitors in UK cities between 2006 and 2009 showed that Edinburgh had some 1.3 million trips a year followed by Manchester on 900,000 and Glasgow on 687,000.
For purely holiday trips, Edinburgh had 771,000, Glasgow had 312,000 while Inverness, so close to Highland scenery, was on 180,000.
Visit Britain said the data showed "an astonishing transformation" had taken place in UK cities which were once known as industrial heartlands.
The news was welcomed today (July 15) by the airport's new Chief Executive Officer, Charles Buchanan.
"Manston is Kent's local, convenient gateway to Manchester, Glasgow, Edinburgh and Inverness, four of the country's most vibrant cities," he said.
"They are award-winning, stylish destinations that are perfect for short breaks from the south-east."
Low-cost airline Flybe already operates a daily service to Edinburgh from the airport while a new daily service to Manchester, with onward connections to Glasgow and Inverness, starts September 6.
From world-famous festivals to chic designer shopping, Edinburgh, Scotland's capital, bursts with life. Breathtakingly beautiful, it's perfect for a summer or autumn break, with serious retail therapy, a vast choice of excellent restaurants, bistros, bars, pubs and cafes, and nightlife to suit all tastes.
Meanwhile, hip, happening Manchester is the liveliest of cities with its exciting, cosmopolitan atmosphere. The home of Brit Cool, it's an outward- looking European City...but with the warmth and atmosphere of a village.
From there, it's a short hop up to Glasgow, Scotland's second city and style capital. Fashionable and lively, it was voted "Coolest City in Britain" in a recent nationwide survey. Glasgow is a former European City of Culture, beating Paris, Athens and Amsterdam to win the title.
And Inverness, capital of the Highlands, is Scotland's most northerly city. It's the ideal place from which to tour the highlands or explore the area around Loch Ness and along the coast of the Moray Firth.
Mr Buchanan added: "These routes underline Manston's value as an excellent regional airport for the South East. And we're so easy to use - where else can you park within sight of the check-in desks.
"In partnership with Flybe - voted the top UK airline in the Which? Holiday popularity poll - we offer fast, convenient and affordable air travel to Manchester, Glasgow, Edinburgh and Inverness, removing the time-consuming hassle and expense of driving or taking the train."
ENDS
15 Jul 2010