Stratford-upon-Avon receives high praise by visitors

Stratford-upon-Avon's facilities rated very highly in Stratford-on-Avon District Council's recent visitor survey with the riverside area being the top choice to visit.

The Visitor Survey was designed to find out the profile and characteristics of visitors to the town, how much they were spending, the strengths and weaknesses of Stratford-upon-Avon as a visitor destination and to improve understanding of the Stratford-upon-Avon visitor experience. 

The survey was carried out this year at several locations in the town from July through to September and 500 face to face interviews with visitors to Stratford-upon-Avon were carried out.

An impressive 97% of those interviewed rated the general atmosphere of the town as very good or good, with 98% saying there was a feeling of welcome.  All but 3% of those quizzed would recommend Stratford-upon-Avon to someone else.

The survey found 39% were day visitors from home, just over a third were day visitors on holiday and a quarter were those staying overnight.  85% of visitors were from the UK and 15% from overseas.  Just over a quarter of those interviewed in the town had not visited Stratford-upon-Avon before.

The town's 'historical and architectural heritage' attracted a third of visitors to the town and another third for Waterside and the River Avon.  Overall visitors rated the range of facilities in Stratford-upon-Avon very highly, in particular, the  attractions, places to visit, places to eat and drink and the cleanliness of the streets.

Visitors were less happy with the location of the Tourist Information Centre (TIC) and the cost of car parking.  Unfortunately the District Council is not responsible for all car parks in the town but where they are, parking is available from £4 a day in Windsor Street car park and the first hour of parking at Bridgefoot car park is free.  Active measures are currently underway to re-locate the TIC, back to its original home at Bridgefoot in the New Year following the refurbishment of the facilities.

Cllr Valerie Hobbs, Enterprise, Housing & Revenues Portfolio says: "The results of the survey provide the District Council and the tourism industry with a better understanding of what our visitors expect and need.  The results will also help to focus activity on what needs to be done to improve and enhance the visitor experience so that they stay longer, spend more and most importantly return.

“With first-class visitor attractions, top flight restaurants and bars, a unique shopping experience and the build up to the Olympic Games it is little wonder that Stratford-upon-Avon continues to be a most desirable destination in the UK. 2012 is set to be a huge year for the town and District and we are preparing to welcome the world."