Culture Capital status 'bringing visitors to Liverpool'

Liverpool Airport can expect to see an increasing number of customers this year as the city's 'Capital of Culture' status attracts visitors, it has been claimed.

Elliott Frisby, a spokesman for national tourism agency VisitBritain, said some new trends are emerging in the travel industry, including an interest in short breaks in self-catering accommodation.

He also explained that certain options are set to be as popular as ever this year, such as trips to Britain's major cities.

"Of course city breaks remain popular - Liverpool's Capital of Culture celebrations are attracting a lot of people," Mr Frisby said.

Commenting on particular destinations that are set to see healthy tourist numbers this year, Mr Frisby suggested that the "old favourites", as well as coastal locations such as Whitby, could be in demand.

"Whitby has been getting a lot of press lately and the old favourites the Lake District, Cotswolds and Cornwall and Devon will remain popular," he said.

According to the Association of Leading Visitor Attractions, Blackpool Pleasure Beach was the top tourist hotspot in Britain last year, with some 5.5 million visitors.