England 12/08/2013 – The city of Birmingham has never seen so many tourists and part of the reason for this is the fact that it offers such a diverse range of attractions.
For the city of Birmingham tourism is an increasingly important element of the local economy. Thousands of firms in the city benefit from the fact that 33.5 million people visit Birmingham each year. Many are there on business at the International Convention Centre or the National Exhibition Centre. These two centres account for 42% of all conference and exhibition trade visitors in the UK.
In addition, the city also attracts people who are there to attend sporting events. Many also go to Birmingham to shop. The city centre turns over an amazing £2.4 billion every year. However, these days a bigger percentage of Birmingham’s visitors are coming to the city to experience its culture. In the past few years, hotels in Birmingham city centre have seen the makeup of their overnight guests change.
A few years ago, the vast majority of their guests were businesspersons and UK nationals who were there to shop. Today, a growing percentage of their visitors are from abroad and they are there primarily to enjoy the city’s cultural facilities. These visitors like the fact that, in Birmingham, there is a very broad choice. The city is home to several traditional cultural attractions such as the Birmingham Museum and Art Gallery, the Gazebo Theatre, St Philip’s Cathedral, Perrott’s Folly and the Victoria Law Courts. The city even has its own ballet company and orchestra.
Birmingham offers everything
However, it seems that many visitors are looking for something different. They are continuing to visit these traditional attractions in growing numbers, but are also showing an interest in the more exotic and unusual attractions, which they do not find in other European countries. The Bollywood dance troupe the Hina Dancers are a great example of a relatively new Birmingham attraction, which appeals because it is so culturally different. Dance Sansaar and the Aston Performing Arts Academy also provide something different for visitors. The Festival of Chariots (RathaYatra), the Fusion Festival and The Frankfurt Christmas Market are other events that the staff at the Crowne Plaza Birmingham are asked about on a regular basis. There is no doubt that Birmingham is benefiting from the fact that it offers such a diverse mix of attractions.