Scarborough Council have this week received detailed plans for the next stage of the multi-million pound ‘The Sands’ development in Scarborough from developers Benchmark Leisure.

The latest plan for The Sands project sees a new all-year-round water park – complete with giant ‘tornado slide’, family restaurant and holiday homes being built on the site of the former Atlantis waterpark, Mr Marvels and Kinderland children’s park.

As well seeing the return of a top quality attraction for both visitors and locals, it is believed that this new phase of The Sands development will create over 100 new jobs. Figures printed in Scarborough’s Evening News suggest that around 60 jobs will be created at the water park, 35 jobs at the holiday accommodation and 10 jobs at the new Scarborough restaurant.

According to these latest plans the long promised water park is integral to the redevelopment of The Sands in order to meet the aspirations for both tourism and the economy in Scarborough.

Once built the new water park will replace the old Atlantis water park, which was demolished several years ago, and will see a major visitor attraction return to North Bay, helping to regain the holiday resort characteristics which were lost when Atlantis closed.

Construction of the water park is expected to begin in 2013 as it will be the first element of the development to be brought forward. It is then expected that the rest of the development will follow on over a staggered timescale throughout the next few years.

Not only will visitors and locals soon be able to experience the ‘tornado slide’; the water park will also include a wave pool, children’s pool, outdoor family pool, lazy river and spa.

The site of the former ‘Mr Marvels’ is earmarked for the creation of The Bayview Holiday village, while the old Kinderland is set to be the site of 29 new holiday lodges. Parking for 492 cars will also be created nearby with an overspill car park on Burniston Road.

The numbers of Brits choosing to holiday abroad has decreased by 1% over the last year as increased financial pressures have caused a growing trend in staycations instead.

On the other hand, as you may expect, inbound tourism has seen an increase with non EU visits up 6% and North America visits increasing by an impressive 10%.

Tourism forms a hugely important part of the UK economy and contributes approximately £115bn per year. That’s nearly equivalent to 10% of the UK’s entire Gross Domestic Product. Disappointingly however, these increases have not seen like for like increases in spending, although it is still is a positive sign for the UK economy during these times of economic difficulty.

Mike Saul, Head of Hospitality and Leisure for Barclays Corporate said:

“Consumer confidence is fragile and the decline in outbound travel highlights the hard times felt by many households. The popularity of staycations is continues to grow as discretionary spending is reined in, but this all helps to boost UK holiday villages and accommodation sales as families choose to holiday at home and so avoid airport taxes, weak exchange rates and possible industry strikes.”

“The ongoing Eurozone crisis is sure to further knock confidence, but this may actually result in some last minute deals for those travellers happy to shop around. There is also hope that European travellers may look to the UK for bargains as the sterling remains relatively weak which should help to boost inbound figures in the run up to Christmas.”

Two of the top honours at the White Rose Awards were won by some of Scarboroughs top accommodation venues

The Crown Spa Hotel Scarborough won first place for the Sustainable Tourism Award and was also nominated in the category for Large Hotel of the Year. As expected the new Sands Self Catering Apartments went home with several awards including the best cruisers, serviced apartments and Self Catering.

The industry awards are the highlight of the tourism industry calendar in Yorkshire and are held each year to celebrate the regions best accommodation, local attractions and events.

The Crown Spa Hotel Scarborough and The Sands Holiday Apartments will now progress to the finals of the VisitEngland Awards for Excellence which will be held next year.

Several other local businesses were also nominated for an award including: Jasmine Caravan Park in Snainton; The Copper Horse in Seamer; All Seasons Guest House in Filey; 17 Burgate in Pickering; The Blue Bell Inn in Weaverthorpe; White Swan Inn in Pickering; Yorkshire Lavender at Terrington; The Leeway in Whitby; Cedarbarn Farm Shop in Pickering and the Pickering Tourist Information Centre.

Welcome to Yorkshire’s CEO said “The White Rose Awards are a true celebration of all that is amazing about Yorkshire tourism and it was very difficult for the judges to actually choose the winners from such a fantastic selection of nominees.”