Dates confirmed for Bath Christmas Market 2009

Bath Tourism Plus is pleased to announce the confirmed dates for the 2009 Bath Christmas Market.  The 11-day event will take place from the 26^th November to the 6^th December in the usual beautiful setting around the Abbey and will feature 117 traditional wooden chalets selling a selection of unique gifts. 

Record numbers were attracted to last year’s event with around 225,000 visitors over the 11 days.  Charlotte Buckley, organiser of the Christmas Market, says, “The market is now in its ninth year of operation so is very well established and has an excellent reputation locally and across the country.  We are positive that this year will be another success”. 

Stalls confirmed so far will be selling a good mix of high quality products including Christmas decorations, gifts, toys, clothing, household and food products, all at a range of prices.  Although 107 of the Christmas Market chalets have already been filled for this year’s event, Bath Tourism Plus is reviewing new trader applications for retail stalls, with preference given to local, handmade, ethically sourced or fair-trade products. 

The Bath Christmas Market has become an important event bringing a huge economic benefit to the city and surrounding area.  Robin Bischert, chief executive of Bath Tourism Plus, says, “Thousands of visitors are drawn to Bath during the Christmas Market and previous research has shown that over 60% of people come to Bath specifically for the event.  The market brings a large economic benefit during the traditionally quieter period before Christmas with visitor spend benefiting local shops, restaurants, hotels and B&Bs and other businesses”.

Marketing messages will be communicated to help relieve congestion in the city by encouraging visitors to come in the quieter times during the daytime, midweek, and promoting the use of public transport and the city’s Park & Ride services.

For further information on the 2009 Christmas Market please see the official website www.bathchristmasmarket.co.uk.

-  ENDS  -

 

Notes to Editors:  

For further information please contact Lucy Weaver at Bath Tourism Plus on 01225 477441 or email: lucy_weaver@bathtourism.co.uk

 

Bath Tourism Plus

Working with the public and private sectors, Bath’s destination marketing organisation, Bath Tourism Plus, takes full responsibility for co-ordinating the work of a busy tourist information centre, the marketing of Bath and the surrounding area to leisure and business travellers, PR activity to attract the nation’s top travel writers, a conference office, and development of Bath’s official destination website www.visitbath.co.uk.  For more information about the services that Bath Tourism Plus offers to meetings, conference and incentive travel businesses, see www.bathconference.co.uk

Bath Christmas Market

Bath Tourism Plus is the company responsible for the marketing and operation of Bath Christmas Market, which attracts approximately 200,000 visitors per year to Bath.  For more information about Bath Christmas Market, visit: www.bathchristmasmarket.co.uk.