Latest Bath Christmas Market research shows benefit to Bath

9th February 2011

The latest research for Bath Christmas Market shows that it brings a considerable economic benefit to the city.  An estimated 300,000 visitors were attracted to Bath Christmas Market in 2010.  64% of those visitors were drawn to Bath specifically for the event and spent £6.6m in the local economy.   

The independent research, which was undertaken throughout last year’s Bath Christmas Market, has highlighted the significant benefit that the event brings to the local economy.  A huge number of visitors explored the city’s shops with 88% shopping outside of the market, while 74% had food and drink in Bath’s restaurants and cafes and 15% visited the city’s attractions.  On average, around £40 per person was spent outside of Bath Christmas Market and £20 at the event. 

A large number of shoppers to Bath Christmas Market chose to stay at accommodation in the city and the surrounding area as part of their visit.  13% of total visitors stayed in Bath and spent £32.58 each, staying for an average of two nights.  

Customer satisfaction has remained high for another year with the event receiving an overall rating of 4.5 out of 5.

Following the extension of Bath Christmas Market from 11 to 18 days, organisers of the event, Bath Tourism Plus, were pleased to see an increase in visitor numbers.  Robin Bischert, chief executive at Bath Tourism Plus, said: “Despite the challenges caused by the weather, last year’s visitor numbers increased on previous years with approximately 300,000 people visiting over the 18 days, an increase from 225,000.  Bath Christmas Market has a huge appeal and this latest research has shown what a good reputation the event has with around two thirds of visitors coming to Bath specifically for the market”.

Visitors to Bath Christmas Market are widespread with around three quarters coming from locations across the UK and the remaining from Bath and the surrounding area.

Charlotte Buckley, events executive at Bath Tourism Plus, said: “We already have 100 traders from last year’s market booked in for 2011 but we will also be looking to refresh the offering by filling the rest of the spaces with new stallholders”.

Provisional dates for this year’s Bath Christmas Market have now been set (24 November - 11 December) and will be confirmed in the spring.

-  ENDS  -

Notes to Editors:  

For further information please contact Lucy Weaver at Bath Tourism Plus on 01225 477441 or email: lucy_weaver@bathtourism.co.uk

Bath Christmas Market
Bath Tourism Plus is the company responsible for the marketing and operation of Bath Christmas Market, which attracts approximately 300,000 visitors per year to Bath.  For more information about Bath Christmas Market, visit: www.bathchristmasmarket.co.uk.

Bath Tourism Plus
Working with the public and private sectors, Bath’s destination marketing organisation, Bath Tourism Plus, takes full responsibility for co-ordinating the work of a busy tourist information centre, the marketing of Bath and the surrounding area to leisure and business travellers, PR activity to attract the nation’s top travel writers, a conference office, and development of Bath’s official destination website www.visitbath.co.uk.  For more information about the services that Bath Tourism Plus offers to meetings, conference and incentive travel businesses, see www.bathconference.co.uk