The History of Tourism in Whitby and Whitby hotels

Added: (Tue Feb 07 2012)

Pressbox (Press Release) - If there was one destination to choose for a short break or for a week's holiday then there can be no more picturesque town in the North of England than the lovely historic Yorkshire town of Whitby.

Consistently voted as one of the most desirable places to live and holiday, this former important whaling port is gaining notoriety as a popular holiday spot. Highlighted and featured on many television programmes, it has been successful in increasing its holiday trade over the last twenty years or so and consequently the popularity of Whitby Hotels has increased too .

Whitby can fulfil the needs of a large number of requirements by the potential visitor. Walking in and around the area is enhanced by the various publications detailing walking and rambling routes in and around the town as well as cliff top walks and countryside trails. The North Yorkshire Moors National Park is easily accessible and considered to have some of the most striking scenery in the country.

History plays a large part in attracting visitors. The atmospheric Whitby Abbey standing on the Headland looking out to the North Sea is an iconic symbol of the town. Dating from the mid 650's AD with a turbulent history, English Heritage has opened a visitor centre close by with interactive historical displays depicting the various ages of the Abbey and Whitby Town. Leading from here is St. Mary's Churchyard and the 199 steps descending to the cobblestones of Church Street. The buildings along here are considerably older the West side of the town. Captain Cook's Museum (formerly the lodgings of the young James Cook) is to be found at the end of Grape Lane leading to the south of Church Street. Henrietta Street, another unusual cobbled street leads from the bottom of the 199 steps to the East Pier passing Fortunes Kipper house, still smoking herrings over oak and beech chippings in the time honoured tradition.

The West side of the town, accessed by the Old Swing Bridge, is home to the famous Whitby Whalebone Arch. This tourist attraction is at the top of the Khyber Pass on the cliff top. Alongside the arch there is the bronze statue of Captain James Cook gazing out to sea, this statue was presented to the town by M.P. Sir Gervase Becket in 1912.

The West Cliff area is home to a large number of Whitby Hotels, the largest of which is the Royal Hotel just across the road from the Whalebone Arch and the statue of Captain Cook. George Hudson (the Railway King) was the main developer of this area of Whitby UK around the time of the introduction of the Railways. The size and the location of these grand houses easily adapt into hotels and boarding houses.

Whitby hotels have been flourishing since early Victorian times when it was customary for the well to do to holiday by the seaside and that tradition continues to the present time but is within the reach of the majority of folks. The English Tourist Board is responsible for inspecting and grading all the hotels in Whitby. This ensures that the standards and guidelines are met.This guarantees that Whitby hotels are well able to compete with other hotels comparable in size around the United Kingdom. Advertised in numerous holiday publications as well as the local Borough Council Tourist Guide, hotels are increasing advertising on the world wide web. Advertising on the world wide web has the added advantage for the potential visitor to view the premises ‘online'. This can greatly enhance the visitor's decision making process as the interior and bedrooms may be viewed in advance. The visitors to Whitby can be assured of quality and standards of accommodation in accordance with those laid down by the English Tourist Board across the country.