� IN FOCUS l EAST OF ENGLAND


Winning ways


Major events and marketing combined to create a ‘winning formula’ for Visit Lincoln. Samantha Mayling reports on a record year for the city


visitor economy expanding by 7% to more than £203 million – also a record.


A New figures also reveal the


greatest growth was in Lincoln’s accommodation sector (16%), while food and drink and transport sectors both grew by 6%. Employment for the city’s tourism businesses rose by nearly 4%, with the total number of people working in the tourism industry reaching more than 2,500. Lydia Rusling, chief executive at


Explore RAF history


in ‘Bomber County’ Lincolnshire was one of the key locations celebrating the 100th anniversary of the RAF in 2018. One of the most significant


events was the official opening of International Bomber Command Centre near Lincoln, in April 2018. At the heart of the International Bomber Command Centre are the Memorial Spire and Walls of Names. The Spire offers views across Lincoln, with a focus on the city’s cathedral, which served as a sighting point for crews flying from Lincolnshire. Operators offering tours of Lincolnshire’s RAF heritage include Saga and Grand UK Holidays. Saga’s four-night ‘Remembering the Dambusters’ trip in October


24 TravelGBI | September 2018


record total of more than four million people visited Lincoln last year, with the


Visit Lincoln, said: “From our own research we knew that last year was a good one for the city – but the official figures have exceeded our expectations. “This is unprecedented growth


that rivals that of much bigger historic cities across the UK – we should be incredibly proud.”


� Great incentives She added: “Tourism is a very competitive market and by working together Lincoln was able to attract more visitors than ever before.” “The Lincoln Knights Trail, Battles and Dynasties exhibition


From left: Stephen Marriott, Lincoln Hotel; Samantha Mellows, Lincoln Cathedral; Richard Baxter, Lincoln BIG; Lydia Rusling, Visit Lincoln; Jean- Sebastien Braen, Stokes Coffee; Claire McDowall, Lincoln City Council; Michele Sims, Visitor Information Centre; Kim Vickers, Lincoln Castle; and Gavin Thomas, Lincoln City Council.


and Domesday Book at Lincoln Castle all gave great incentives to visit in 2017. New developments such as Stokes at The Lawn, our promotion at London Kings Cross, along with VisitLincoln.com and award-winning campaigns created a winning formula.” Claire McDowall, principal events and culture officer at City of Lincoln Council, added: “As Lincoln continues to grow from strength to strength it is very encouraging to see that the hard work being put in to promote our city as a world-class tourist


destination is really paying off. “Lincoln has a vibrant and exciting


future, and I expect that visitor numbers will continue to grow as we invest in the city and make it an even more appealing destination for visitors from all over the world.” Forthcoming events in the city include the Lincoln Sausage Festival (October 13); Christmas Lights switch-on (November 23); and the annual Lincoln Christmas market in the cathedral quarter (December 6-9). visitlincoln.com


Burghley House turns back the clock


Lincolnshire’s Burghley House is harking back to a “golden age of entertainment” this autumn, offering groups a chance to explore at twilight. New for groups this year are ‘Twilight Suppers’, featuring a two-course meal, welcome glass of prosecco and entrance to ‘Twilight at Burghley’ (October 3-6). The house near Stamford was


features a guided tour of the Battle of Britain Memorial Flight at RAF Coningsby; a visit to Woodhall Spa, site of the public memorial to 617 Squadron; and a tour of International Bomber Command Centre. Grand UK Holidays’ five-day


‘Battle of Britain’ coach tour visits RAF Digby; the Aviation Heritage Centre at East Kirkby; Woodhall Spa; RAF Coningsby; and International Bomber Command Centre. internationalbcc.co.uk


built by William Cecil, Queen Elizabeth I’s most trusted adviser, and has a history of hosting grand entertainment, from supper parties to balls. For 2018, the Twilight events


will feature more music, including hand-bell ringers in the Old Kitchen, a piano in the chapel, a choir and an Elizabethan minstrel. burghley.co.uk


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