Cheshire East visitor economy performance almost double national average

The hospitality industry across the Cheshire East borough enjoyed a boom year in 2015, with hotel room bookings increasing by 2.1%.

The rise places the area, which includes towns such as Crewe, Macclesfield and Nantwich, ahead of a number of large cities and towns in the North, including Liverpool, Warrington and York.

Data shows that since 2012, hotel occupancy rates in Cheshire East have risen by 14%, well ahead of the national average of 7.8%.

Taken together, both hotel and guest house occupancy leapt for the fourth consecutive year, increasing from 59.9% in 2012 to 75.6% at the close of 2015.

The value of the borough’s hospitality economy in 2014 was estimated at £218m, up from £152m in 2009. Overall, Cheshire East’s visitor economy is believed to be worth £800m.

A number of events in 2016, including the Queen’s 90th birthday and the Tour of Britain cycle race, are forecast to drive further growth and investment in the borough.

Cheshire East’s cabinet member for communities, Cllr Les Gilbert, said: “This is fantastic news and sends out the message that there is always a warm welcome here in Cheshire East.

“I congratulate our hoteliers and guest house owners, who continue to raise the bar in standards so that our visitors know they will get quality accommodation with a smile and that here in Cheshire East there is plenty to do and see throughout the year.”

Elsewhere, data shows that the area’s hotels and guest houses saw their room revenue grow by 5.1% last year, with guests willing to pay, on average, £2.59 more per room.

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