Dismaland's ‘Banksy effect’ contributes £20m to the local economy
Official tourism board Visit Somerset has claimed that Weston-super-Mare attraction Dismaland could inject as much as £20m into the local economy.
A statement released to coincide with the final day of Dismaland, claimed that local businesses saw a 20 per cent boom. Additionally, during the attraction’s month in operation, hotel bookings were up by 50 per cent and rail bookings doubled.
John Turner, chief executive of Visit Somerset, said: “We have been working closely with many of our members including the Weston Hoteliers & Restaurant association and major attractions in Weston super Mare and beyond in measuring the effect of Banksy on the region.
“This has been a global phenomenon of major importance for the region, as we have seen a large international surge in what is a predominately a solid and reliable domestic market. [We] could well see a further £20m coming back into the local and regional economy.”
The board is considering revamping Dismaland’s Tropicana site as a permanent tourism spot.