SOME of Burnley’s most famous landmarks could help give the town a tourism boost after 50 influential tour operators visited the area on a fact finding trip.

The familiarisation visit, organised by Burnley Council’s Visitor Economy Team, took guests from key UK tour operators on a sightseeing trip taking in Burnley's heritage, countryside, arts and culture.

The visit started with a meal at the national award-winning Usha Restaurant before visits to Barden and Boundary Mills, a coach trip around Pendle Witch Country and Pendle Hill, a taster at the famous Moorhouses ales and a visit to the famous Jacobean Gawthorpe Hall.

Other highlights included the mysterious award-winning Singing Ringing Tree, a tour of the historic townscape of the Weavers’ Triangle and a boat trip on the Leeds Liverpool canal. The group also enjoyed an ‘eerie’ ghost walk in Towneley Park followed by an evening reception in the magnificent ‘jewel in Burnley’s crown’ Towneley Hall itself, hosted by the mayor.

Many of the tour operators were from the south, including Hampshire, Cambridgeshire, County Durham and North Wales.

Based at the Holiday Inn Express, the tourist bosses were very impressed.

Coun Roger Frost, executive member for economic regeneration, said: “The visit was all about getting the tour operators to bring more visitors to Burnley, ensuring Burnley is on their radar, and added to their tour routes as an exciting visitor destination.

“Burnley’s tourism industry is worth in excess of £100 million per year, it employs 2,700 people and welcomes over 3.4 million visitors, economic forecasts show the sector is set to grow and Burnley needs to ensure it positions itself to take advantage of that growth. Over the last few years the visitor economy and visitor offer in Burnley has radically changed, with major investments in key attractions, with a new hotel development, a new canalside marina, and a fabulous new visitor centre.

“Burnley has some of the best visitor attractions in Lancashire and we need to shout about them.”