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From Seaside to Studio: Is the UK Entering a New Golden Age of Holidays?

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The benefits of Google My Business

ITK Magazine
Mar 19, 2024
2 min read

Google My Business (GMB) is a free business tool that helps businesses of all sizes to create and maintain a listing on Google. GMB helps businesses appear in people’s searches and on Google Maps, meaning your business can attract new customers and share information.

Within your Google listing, you can link to your social media profiles and your website and display any Google reviews your business has. You cannot disable Google reviews, which many see as a negative, but reviews show customers that your business is legitimate and can give them an insight into what you do. People trust what people say about a business more than what that business says about itself - a good review could influence whether a potential client parts with their money or not.

If you want to get the most out of your GMB listing, you need to make sure that you’ve given Google as many details about your business as you can. With more information, Google can better match your business to potential customers’ searches. To draw people’s eyes to your listing, you can even also images; these could be of staff serving customers within your business, infographics, menus, pictures of your office and more. According to Google, businesses that include photos within their GMB listing receive 42% more clicks for directions and 35% more clicks to their website.

One great feature of GMB is that you can include recent post updates and any special offers your business may currently be running. Promoting offers is a great way to increase your website traffic and sales.

The category your business falls under determines whether you’re eligible for GMB’s additional features, which are as follows:

Businesses that are heavily service-oriented can include a service menu and booking button
Restaurants and bars can upload their menus and add links for customers to place online orders and reservations
Small to medium-sized businesses can add a product catalogue
If you are a hotel, you can display your ‘star’ rating and list amenities available

If, after you’ve created your profile, you think you qualify for these additional features but you cannot see them as an option, you may have accidentally chosen the wrong category for your business; it’s worth double-checking your choices.

Maybe you offer free Wi-Fi or wheelchair access and want potential customers to know - you can include this, too. You may wish to mention that your business is led by women, for example.

Google My Business has a lot to offer, and it’s worth creating. Follow the link to start creating your free listing: https://www.google.com/intl/en_uk/business/

From Seaside to Studio: Is the UK Entering a New Golden Age of Holidays?

All Articles

17 April 2025

Paul Francis

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With Universal Studios bringing blockbuster magic to Bedfordshire, Britain’s holiday landscape may be on the brink of a transformation. But what does this mean for our beloved seaside resorts - and what’s next for the Great British getaway?

Blackpool Tower silhouette against an orange sunset over the sea, with a pier and Ferris wheel in the background, creating a serene, warm mood.

A Hollywood Blockbuster Comes to Bedfordshire

There’s a palpable buzz in the air. Universal Studios - famed for its cinematic experiences in Florida, Hollywood, and Japan - is set to open its first-ever theme park in the UK. Landing in Bedfordshire, just an hour north of London, the project will be a game-changer not just for thrill-seekers, but for Britain’s entire domestic tourism economy.

Scheduled to open in 2031, the £multi-billion development promises immersive worlds based on James Bond, Paddington Bear, and possibly Middle-earth itself. While Harry Potter is off the table due to Warner Bros. exclusivity in nearby Leavesden, the resort will feature state-of-the-art attractions, a 500-room hotel, retail and dining districts, and a dedicated train station to ease the expected footfall.

With over 476 acres of space, it’s poised to become the largest theme park in Europe, creating more than 28,000 jobs and injecting an estimated £50 billion into the UK economy by 2055.

This isn’t just another amusement park - it’s the start of a shift in the UK’s holiday culture.

The Staycation Renaissance: A Market in Motion

Brits have always had a love-hate relationship with the staycation. But recent years, fuelled by climate anxiety, Brexit, the pandemic hangover, and now the cost-of-living crisis, have rekindled a nostalgic affection for home-grown holidays. According to ABTA, more than half of UK holidaymakers are opting for domestic trips, citing environmental concerns, affordability, and convenience.

In fact, UK holidaymakers are booking earlier than ever, with a 76% rise in early bookings for 2024. “Slowcations” are also booming - longer, more mindful breaks in places like Cornwall, Norfolk, and the Lake District. Many are even bypassing the peak summer rush and heading away in spring and autumn to find better value and quieter shores.

Seaside Resorts: Old Charm, New Challenges

As Universal’s cranes prepare to rise in Bedfordshire, the UK’s traditional holiday resorts face a fork in the road.

Brighton & Hove continues to thrive, topping Airbnb’s 2024 list for the most desirable UK staycation destinations. It’s a city that has mastered the art of reinvention - equal parts bohemian, beachy, and boutique.

Blackpool, despite years of economic struggle, still pulls in over 20 million annual visitors and contributes £1.7 billion to the local economy. With its piers, tower, and unapologetically retro charm, it holds a special place in the national psyche.

Yet not all resorts are riding the wave. Torquay, once the "Queen of the English Riviera", has struggled with declining footfall, tired infrastructure, and a high number of empty retail units. Others like Rhyl, Skegness, and Morecambe are engaged in long-term regeneration battles, hoping to reawaken their mid-century glory days.

A Tale of Two Futures?

The arrival of Universal Studios may signal a shift from nostalgia-fuelled, heritage-led tourism to blockbuster-based holidaymaking. But does this mean our seaside towns will fade into obscurity?

Not necessarily.

Instead, the smart money may lie in blending nostalgia with innovation. Towns that embrace sustainable tourism, cultural rejuvenation, and experiential travel are finding a new audience. Folkestone, for instance, is enjoying a quiet renaissance thanks to investment in its creative arts scene and the restoration of its grand hotels.

Meanwhile, holidaymakers are increasingly mixing experiences - choosing a week in the countryside or coast followed by a short break at a theme park or city destination. The UK may be small, but it’s never been more varied in what it offers.

What It All Means for the Great British Holiday

The launch of Universal Studios in the UK isn’t a threat to our seaside heritage - it’s a catalyst. This is a reminder that domestic holidays can be aspirational, high-quality, and world-class.

But if Britain is entering a new golden age of holidays, it must be inclusive. That means investment not only in blockbuster destinations like Bedfordshire, but in places like Scarborough, Margate, and Weston-super-Mare. It means creating transport links that connect cities to coasts and supporting independent businesses that give these towns their soul.

Universal may bring the stars - but the heart of the Great British Holiday still beats by the sea.

Sidebar: Top 5 UK Staycation Trends to Watch

Theme Park Tourism – Expect a boom in travel tied to Universal Studios, Legoland, and Warner Bros Studio Tour.
Slowcations & Wellness – Mindful travel to peaceful destinations like the Lake District or Norfolk Broads.
Heritage Seaside Revival – Towns investing in regeneration, arts, and culture to attract new demographics.
Eco-Conscious Travel – Low-carbon holidays, rail-based travel, and locally sourced stays.
Activity Holidays – Sportcations, paddleboarding weekends, and cycling-friendly routes are on the rise.