BOURNEMOUTH’S tourist appeal will be better than ever this summer as £100million worth of seafront and town centre improvements are completed.

That’s the claim from Bournemouth Tourism who believe the huge level of private and public money being invested into the town will give the resort an edge over its competitors.

The main projects include:

  • £4m worth of improvements to the Pier Approach, including a landmark new tourism information centre building, water play features and re-landscaping.
  • A £1.5m, two-storey extension of the Oceanarium, which will feature a new penguin enclosure, walk-through aviary and sea view terrace.
  • A £60m redevelopment of Terrace Mount to include two new Hilton hotels, one of which will be a top-end hotel with sky bar, spa and restaurant.
  • Licet Holdings’ new £50m five-level entertainment complex at Exeter Road. This will house a 10-screen cinema, together with family restaurants, shops and bistros and will be open in 2016.
  • A £1m new Wayfinding system which will help visitors locate key attractions in the town centre and surrounding area.
  • £1.5m of improvements at the rail and coach station, including better signage and layout changes. Many of the planned improvements will be in place ready for the resort’s flagship events – Bournemouth Wheels festival in May, the Air Festival in August and the Arts by the Sea festival in October.

Official figures show the council spent £225,000 on last year’s Air Festival and £557,000 on the Wheels Festival, and tourism bosses claim Bournemouth is now known worldwide for its free festivals and events.

Cllr Lawrence Williams, cabinet member for tourism, said: “The investment in Bournemouth is significant, representing a period of unparalleled growth for the town that aims to benefit visitors and residents alike. It’s an exciting time for our award-winning resort.”

Mark Smith, director of tourism, said: “With seven miles of golden sands and frequently warmer than average temperatures, together with a vast array of shops, evening venues, accommodation and globally recognised festivals we continually invest to make Bournemouth an even more vibrant and engaging world class experience for our visitors.”