Town pins hopes on tourism boost

It is hoped Doncaster will interest tourists from both Britain and abroad; emphasis is being placed on those flying into Robin Hood airport or arriving on ferries in Hull.

A new tourism and visitor economy manager has been appointed and a visitor guide, detailing all the borough's attractions is due to be launched at an event this afternoon.

Doncaster is engaged in a public relations drive to improve its image after the council attracted seriously adverse publicity over a series of high-profile failings.

As revealed by the Yorkshire Post earlier this year, a group selling Doncaster "positives" has been set up by the honorary Freemen of Doncaster to combat the criticism.

The group, which is independent of politicians or the local authority includes singer Lesley Garrett, who is from Thorne, and Hatfield's TV sitcom writer Roy Clarke.

Today's event marks Doncaster Council's attempt to join that positive bandwagon, and mayor Peter Davies said he was backing the new guide and the drive to bring in tourists.

He said: "Doncaster is renowned for its horse racing, with arguably the finest racecourse in the world. It also has a rich railway heritage and wealth of Georgian and Regency architecture.

"We have one of the best markets in the country, we have Cusworth Hall – a Grade I listed country house and we're the home of the St Leger – the world's oldest classic horse race. We have one of only three Mansion Houses in the country, we even have a pride of 13 lions at the Yorkshire Wildlife Park on the edge of the town. And Doncaster is easy to get to.

"We are right in the middle of the country with excellent road and rail links, and have the UK's newest international airport with new routes from overseas. The borough is also accessible from the Humber ports."

According to council figures, tourism already brings in 285m a year and provides jobs for seven per cent of the local workforce at attractions like the racecourse.

Speaking ahead of today's launch, Doncaster's new tourism manager Colin Joy, who spent 19 years working for the national tourist board, said that income could increase.

He added: "I was attracted to Doncaster because there is so much potential for tourism which has been relatively un-tapped so far.

"Lots of people are already coming here either for shopping or one of the many fantastic events held within the borough, but are unaware of the many attractions within Doncaster.

"We are also targeting business people. We want them to come and use our excellent conference and exhibition facilities and also take in some of the sights during their free time here. If we spread the word I am confident tourists will come. That is the long-term aim, to re-position Doncaster as a historical market town with a wealth of history, heritage and attractions."

Kurt Janson, policy director of trade association the Tourism Alliance visited Doncaster recently and said he supported the town adding: "One thing that really struck me was the quality of the markets.

"The produce on sale there is at least as good as, if not better than London's famous Borough Market. The town has an attractive historic heart and a good shopping centre which link up well with the markets.

"I believe that there is really no reason why Doncaster should not claim its place on the British tourist trail."