Blackpool is the 4th largest settlement in the North West of England.
As of the 2011 census, 142,064 people live there.
87% of people there work in the service sector.
As of 2006, 31.4% of economically active people worked in the distribution, hotels and restaurant sector.
Some popular attractions are:
The Pleasure Beach, a theme park
The Blackpool Illuminations, a light show that has been running in the autumn months since 1879, which prolongs the tourist season.
Possible political conferences, concerts and shows.
The Butler Tourist Life-Cycle Model
Exploration
The practice of sea bathing to cure diseases was becoming fashionable among the wealthier classes in the early 1800s, who began making the trek to Blackpool for that purpose.
In the 19th Century people went to Blackpool to visit its 7 mile beach.
The population grew from 473 in 1800 to 2500 in 1850.
In 1846 the railway was built, cutting travel costs and time. It became cheaper to travel, so many working class visitors began coming to Blackpool every weekend.
Involvement
Central Pier opened in 1868.
In the 1870s workers were given annual holidays.
Blackpool's population rose to about 14,000 during this period.
Development
The Tower opened in 1894.
South Shore's Fairground opened in 1904, it was advertised as the Pleasure Beach in the 1900s.
Visitor numbers grew from about 3 million to 8 million.
Consolidation
During interwar years (1918-39) Blackpool was recognised as Europe's leading coastal resorts, helped by a new law giving workers holiday with pay.
Visitor numbers grew from 8 million to 17million.
Stagnation
After WW2, from 1960 onwards Blackpool began to stagnate, then decline because of package holidays, cheaper air transport and better climates (e.g. the Mediterranean)
Visitor numbers remained at 17 million at the end of this period, but fell to 16 million and then rose again.
Decline
Blackpool has run down areas and is mainly popular with stag and hen parties.
Visitor numbers fell from 17 million to 11 million in 2000.
Reasons for the decline:
Foreign travel grew in popularity in the 1960s and 70s with its more reliable hot, dry and sunny weather and sandy beaches.
The expansion of package holidays and cheaper flights, in addition to more competing destinations.
The growth of budget airlines and cheaper accommodation from the 1990s onwards.
People are changing to self catering and buying time shares or holiday homes abroad.
Overcrowding in Blackpool, and a shift in the market to late night drinking, stag parties and hen parties.
Regeneration
A £300 million rejuventation project was launched in 2000.
Brilliance - a town lighting scheme that aims to encourage visitors to explore the town centre further at night and day.
St John's Square - An important public space in the centre of Blackpool. The area has been pedestrianised and new planting, paving and lighting has been added to attract and enhance the character, appearance and atmosphere of the area. A wave scupture has been added and Wifi connectivity included.
Houndshill Shopping Centre - this has been redeveloped to improve shopping in the town centre.
The Beach (Coastal Protection) - The sea defenses have been damaged and replaced with 'Spanish steps' leading down to the sea that will protect the coastline and increase public access to the seafront.