With the summer season officially underway and a record number of families heading for the coast what better time for the trade association to launch an extended political engagement campaign inviting MPs to meet with their Bacta member constituents in their place of work generating revenue for local, regional and the national economy?
Bacta has announced the launch of a summer-long political engagement campaign, bringing MPs face-to-face with their Bacta member constituents. Drawing on the backdrop of some of the country’s most popular seaside tourist attractions the campaign will highlight the key contributions made by the amusements and low stake gaming entertainment sectors to the infrastructure of the country’s visitor economy.
Outlining the campaign to Bacta members, President Joseph Cullis said: “With Parliament now in recess, MPs have returned to their constituencies, and we are taking the opportunity to arrange visits across the country to showcase member venues and raise awareness of the challenges our sector faces.” Adding: “If you already have a relationship with your local MP, or are interested in building one, please let us know. We are happy to support and facilitate these important conversations.”
Bacta announced the campaign in the week that the 2025 summer getaway saw the biggest number of car trips made since records began, illustrating the continued popularity of the staycation.
Bacta Director of Communications, Allaster Gair, believes the summer provides the best possible opportunity to demonstrate the industry at work. He stated: “The tourism sector is forecasting another strong year for the staycation. According to industry research commissioned by Sykes, over 60 percent of Brits are planning a staycation in 2025 with over a third enjoying a domestic holiday as their main break.
“There are many different factors influencing the choice of destination but there’s no doubt that the amusements sector is a huge part of the seaside business model – whether that’s for an iconic national attraction such as Brighton Palace Pier, or one with a more nuanced regional appeal. Without a thriving amusements-led infrastructure, the tourism industry at the coast would be left with a significant void to fill – leading to a concomitant impact on visitation. We want to press these arguments home and the best way to engage is for MPs to meet with their Bacta member constituents in their place of work, whether that’s at an AGC, an FEC, or at one of the country’s privately owned piers.”
Britain’s Piers remain a major pull for entertainment hungry visitors. The latest figures from Visit Britain show Brighton Palace Pier in the top five free entry attractions (2024) and the most popular outside of London. Gair confirmed: “The revenue stream from machines dramatically impacts the business model”. He added: “Removing an amusement entertainment offering doesn’t immediately mean that tourists won’t visit but it reduces what a business or a location can offer and once you diminish the offer you reduce dwell time, and the length of the visit will over time reduce from an overnight stay to a day trip. There’s no doubt that the component parts of the staycation sector provide an invaluable boost to local economies and communities right across the country.
Staycation Snapshot
Holiday spending is on the rise, with Brits expecting to spend £1,292 on their main UK break in 2025 – up from £1,070 in 2024
• 63 percent of Brits will take a UK break this year
• Over a third of Brits will take their main break in the UK
• Gen Z are the demographic that’s most likely to holiday in the UK (71 percent)
• The average person will take three UK breaks this year, staying for an average of 6 days
• Domestic tourism is forecast to contribute £24 billion to the UK economy this summer
