Tourism in the Maldon District has hit an all-time high with visitors now worth an estimated £81 million to the area, according to new figures.
Recent Volume and Value findings by the East of England Tourist Board (EETB) showed the 2002 estimate to be £81.4 million, an increase of more than £25 million on figures for 2000.
The latest estimates show major increases on the £55.9 million figure for 2000 and £37.9 million for 1998.
Tourism officers described the figures as "terrific news".
The new figures include information from national tourist surveys and information from tourist attractions in the district, including the number of businesses, level of accommodation, visitor numbers to individual attractions, length of coastline and numbers of marinas.
An increase in the filming of television shows such as Changing Rooms, Spooks, The Murder Game and big-screen hit The Lawless Heart have attracted many to the district.
In October a Japanese television crew visited the district to make a travel show.
George Ashford from the EETB said: "The figures produced for Maldon show that tourism is an important provider of employment to the area, and whilst I am sure there are some negative impacts, the economic benefit must outweigh them."
Published Thursday January 22, 2004
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