Caravan holidaymakers may be among the increasing numbers visiting inland waterway attractions.
According to the British Marine Federation, such tourism has seen massive growth over the last year, boosted by the trend for staycations.
Executive director Howard Pridding said at the Tullet Prebon London International Boat Show that currency values and the rise in the number of Brits holidaying at home have helped to boost revenue for inland waterway tourism.
In fact, income for the 2008/09 season rose by 1.9 per cent to £3.16 billion, according to the industry’s official statistics.
“Often despite the marketing that we do, the inland waterways are a hidden asset to this country and once people discover them they continue to take a holiday [there],” Mr Pridding explained.
He added that there are 200 miles of canal network in the Midlands and stretching across the country, just waiting to be explored.
The Tullet Prebon London International Boat Show runs from January 8th to 17th at ExCel in the capital.
