Bath - City of Lights

With my knowledge of how Blackpool's famous Illuminations continue to draw the crowds to the Lancashire coast every autumn, I shouldn't be surprised by the appeal of bright lights to draw in visitors on dark nights. But I am genuinely surprised this week but the impact of the Iluminate Bath Festival which is bringing out the crowds this week into the city centre.

The Festival had not been on my radar before I arrived in Bath and I dare say that I am not alone in this respect. I am going to make sure that we get the message out next year!

Illuminate Bath is part of the Lodon 2012 Cultural Olympiad and it is a showcase for both local and international artists. Over 4 evenings, numerous light projections transform the city's streets and buildings.

And the artworks are drawing in crowds, both young and old.

It strikes me that this is just the sort of Festival that will help us attract more visitors in the off peak period - so lets hope that these interactive artworks help shine the spotlight on Bath as a visitor destination.

http://www.illuminatebath.org/

I have fallen in love!

They say that it happens when you least expect it. And in my case, this is very true. But I have suddenly found a new love interest and I want to share the details with you!

Elegant and refined, sophisticated and fun. Enjoys luxury, indulgence and pampering. Mad for shopping and eating out. Quite simply beautiful.

My only problem is in pronouncing the name - is it Bath (as in hat) or Bath (as in heart)?

Either way, it is going to be my privilege to work there when I start as Chief Executive of Bath Tourism Plus this month. I can't wait!

Attack of the Trip Advisors

Having watched Channel 4's expose Attack of the Trip Advisors this week, I have become even more convinced that there needs to be a counter balance to the amateur and petulant Trip Advisor reviewers.

The travel web site is an undoubted success, with over 40 million users a month. Even our own Tourism Minister, John Penrose, in his 'Tourism Policy' suggested that Trip Adviser could replace the official Tourist Board Star Scheme. But this week's programme on Channel 4 showed how reviews on the website may often be the result of unreasonable and even malicious guests, who might have taken a dislike to the owner or his taste in decor.

I have long argued that VisitEngland should establish its own Review Site, publishing a version of the Official Inspectors' Reports. In doing so, readers would then be able to balance a Trip Advisor Review (by an amateur) with an Inspector's Review (by someone who stays in hundreds of properties each year). I know which review I would trust more!

Perhaps it's time to start a Counter Attack!

Stunning New 'Scouse House' Opens

Exactly 100 years to the day after its iconic neighbour the Royal Liver Building opened its doors, The Museum of Liverpool welcomed its first visitors yesterday (19th July).

A stunning new addition to the city’s famous waterfront and its vibrant culture, the Museum demonstrates the city’s unique contribution to the world, showcasing popular culture, while tackling social, historical and contemporary issues. obviously football and The Beatles have their share of the space, but there are fascinating galleries devoted to trade, the growth of the city and Liverpool's contribution to the modern world.

There is no doubt that it sets a new world standard for museums - the quality of the spaces, exhibits and interpretation is truely fantastic - with over 6000 exhibits, many of which have never been shown before.

I particulary like 'Little Liverpool', the interactive gallery for the under 6 year olds, with its mini River Mersey, complete with working Mersey Tunnels and dock gates. And there;s a decent sized cafe with views of the Albert Dock, which is sure to generate the much needed revenue to help run the building.

Liverpool glitterati were out in force at the opening evening - with Yoko Ono (she apparently helped broker the negotiations with Apple to permit Beatles footage to be exhibited), boxer John Conteh and comedian Ken Dodd (his tickling sticks have their own display!) amongst those that I spotted!

www.liverpoolmuseums.org.uk/mol

Sunny Days in Sandside

For fear of causing traffic jams and crowds, I wasn't going to draw your attention to a corner of North Lancashire (or is it South Cumbria?) which is often passed by on the drive to the Lake District. But with the best B&B in England  (http://www.no43.org.uk/) , a beach which rivals any on the West Coast and a handfull of small businesses offering quality sevices, I thought that it was only right that I give Arnside and Silverdale a bit of profile.

Nestling on the edge of Morecambe Bay and the estuary of the River Kent, this area seems to have a micro climate all of its own with more sunny days than its inland neighbours. From the top of Arnside Knott - just a short walk up the 150m high hill from the village - the view across the Bay to the Lakeland Fells is spectacular. 

For a top day out, take a picnic to Sandside beach, buy an ice cream from the van on the Prom, have tea and cakes in the Cafe at the Wolfhouse Art Gallery in the Forest at Silverdale. Oh, and make sure you leave time to climb to the top of the hill for the views!

It's Raining Men in Liverpool

Tate Liverpool's latest 'blockbuster' exhibition opens this weekend  - and it's going to be a sure fire winner. The sheer scale of the exhibition is impressive - I can't remember seeing so many works of art by a single artist at the same time. But this is also an accessible exhibition, with popular appeal that will interest even the most reluctant gallery visitor. Many of the images will be familiar, with fluffy clouds in blue skies, apples and bowler hats as recurring images.

Pre sales of tickets are ahead of expectations and I am sure that the once the neighbouring Museum of Liverpool opens in mid July, there will be large numbers of additional visitors to the waterfront. Tate Liverpool and the Albert Dock will undoubtedly benefit. A new national advertising campaign, coordinated by The Mersey Partnership, also kicks off this weekend, aimed at generating visitor interest in Liverpool as a shortbreak destination.

Judging by reactions last night at the Preview, Tate Liverpool has pitched this new exhibition at exactly the right level, and there has already been significant interest and coverage by the the national media.

I can't even pretend that I understand the meaning of many of the images, but that didn't detract from a great visit - and now I can't get that song by The Weathergirls out of my mind!

www.tate.org.uk/magritte

I bumped into Cheryl Cole Last Night

You know how it is......I was just walking down the Prom in Blackpool and who should I see, but Cheryl Cole. Well, not one to miss an opportunity, I quickly got a photo.

Turns out that she is part of the show at the new Madame Tussauds on the Golden Mile in Blackpool. The attraction has had a major makeover and is now rather good. People who remember playing "Guess who it is supposed to be" at the old Louis Tussauds will be pleasantly impressed! No problem now in identifying Gok Wan, David Beckham, Barbara Windsor and other 'icons' of popular culture.

A few things particularly impressed me about the new operation: the staff are, without exception, brilliant. No wonder that the attraction is top of Merlin's international league of all of its facilities in terms of customer satisfaction. And the new owners know how to generate secondary spend - the shop is excellently merchandised and there are upteen opportunities during the tour for visitors to buy add-ons. Other attraction operators would be wise to go and see how it's done!

www.madametussauds.com/blackpool/