Developers Benchmark Leisure have submitted detailed plans for the next stage of the multi-million pound ‘The Sands’ development in Scarborough to Scarborough Council’s planning department.

The latest plan for The Sands project, on the site of the former Atlantis waterpark, Mr Marvels and Kinderland fun parks, includes a new all-year-round water park – complete with giant ‘tornado slide’, a family restaurant and holiday homes.

This latest phase of The Sands development is expected to create over 100 jobs in Scarborough as well as providing a much needed top quality attraction for both visitors and locals. Figures printed in Scarborough’s Evening News suggest that around 60 jobs will be created at the water park, 35 jobs at the holiday accommodation and 10 jobs at the new Scarborough restaurant.

The new plans indicate that long promised water park is indeed integral to the redevelopment plans of The Sands in order to meet the wider aspirations for the tourism economy in Scarborough.

Once it is built the new Scarborough water park will replace the long defunct Atlantis water park attraction at Peasholm Gap which will see a major visitor attraction return to North Bay thus helping to regained the holiday resort characteristics which were lost following the original water parks demolition several years ago.

The new Scarborough attraction is expected to be the first part of the development to be brought forward, with construction beginning towards the end of 2013. The construction of the rest of the development will then follow follow over the next few years.

As well as a tornado water slide the water park is also to include an indoor wave pool, a children’s pool, an outdoor family pool, a lazy river and a spa.

The Mr Marvels site is will see the creation of The Bayview Holiday village, with the former Kinderland kid’s park becoming be the site of 29 Scarborough holiday lodges. Parking for 492 cars will also be created nearby with an overspill car park on Burniston Road.

The numbers of Brits choosing to holiday abroad has decreased by 1% over the last year as increased financial pressures have caused a growing trend in staycations instead.

Whilst outbound tourism is down, inbound tourism has seen an increase with visitor numbers from outside the EU up 6% and visits from North America up a massive 10%.

With tourism forming such a large part of the UK economy it can contribute as much as £115bn each year. That’s about equivalent to 10% of the UK’s entire GDP (gross domestic product). Rather disappointingly, increased tourist numbers have not been mirrored by increases in spending, although the boost is a welcome sign for the UK economy at this time of economic difficulty.

Head of Hospitality and Leisure at Barclays Corporate, Mike Saul said:

“Consumer confidence is fragile and the decline in outbound travel highlights the hard times felt by many households. The popularity of staycations is continues to grow as discretionary spending is reined in, but this all helps to boost UK holiday villages and accommodation sales as families choose to holiday at home and so avoid airport taxes, weak exchange rates and possible industry strikes.”

“The ongoing Eurozone crisis is sure to further knock confidence, but this may actually result in some last minute deals for those travellers happy to shop around. There is also hope that European travellers may look to the UK for bargains as the sterling remains relatively weak which should help to boost inbound figures in the run up to Christmas.”

Two of the top honours at the White Rose Awards were won by some of Scarboroughs top accommodation venues

The Crown Spa Hotel Scarborough won first place for the Sustainable Tourism Award and was also nominated in the category for Large Hotel of the Year. As expected the new Sands Self Catering Apartments went home with several awards including the best cruisers, serviced apartments and Self Catering.

Once a year the White Rose Awards aim to celebrate and highlight the Yorkshire regions best local attractions, accommodation and events, the award is seen by many in the tourism industry as the biggest highlight of their calander.

Not only have two of Scarborough’s top accommodation venues managed to take home White Rose Awards they will also be taking part in next years finals of the Visit England Awards for exellence.

As well as the big winners for Scarborough there were also many other venues nominated for some awards including: Pickering Tourist Information Center, Cedarbarn Farm Shop in Pickering, The Leeway in Whitby, Yorkshire Lavender at Terrington, White Swan Inn in Pickering, The Blue Bell Inn in Weaverthorpe, 17 Burgate in Pickering, All Seasons Guest House in Filey, The Copper Horse in Seamer and the Jasmine Caravan Park in Snainton.

Gary Verity, CEO of Welcome to Yorkshire said “The White Rose Awards are a true celebration of all that is amazing about Yorkshire tourism and it was very difficult for the judges to actually choose the winners from such a fantastic selection of nominees.”