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Lowry named as Manchester's top tourist spot

The Lowry was Greater Manchester’s most popular visitor attraction last year, according to figures from Marketing Manchester.

The combined theatre and art gallery reclaimed the top spot with 819,325 visitors in 2012, while Manchester’s Museum of Science and Industry (MOSI) came second with 676,677 visitors.

MOSI’s group chief executive Ian Blatchford confirmed last week the museum could close if the Government makes a 10% cut to its budget.

Marketing Manchester said The Lowry’s success was partly down to its collaboration with the Hallé orchestra and the Royal Exchange Theatre on a production of ‘Wonderful Town’, which starred Connie Fisher.

The firm said the show was a particular crowd-puller, and helped to significantly boost visitor figures during April 2012.

Manchester Art Gallery was the third most popular, with over 386,500 visitors, followed by the Bolton Museum, Aquarium and Archive with more than 367,300.

Manchester Museum, Manchester United Museum and Tour Centre, Runway Visitor Park, the Imperial War Museum North and Dunham Massey House and Gardens also made it into the top ten most visited sites.

Paul Simpson, managing director of Visit Manchester, said: “2012 was a great year for domestic tourism. First, the recession made it a necessity – and then, the ‘2012 factor’ made it incredibly popular.

“Almost all of our ‘top ten’ have seen a rise in visitor figures – fuelled no doubt by the ongoing popularity of the ‘stay-cation’ and renewed interest Brits have for events and attractions on their doorstep.”

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Miranda Dobson .