Broads holidays continue decline

Officers claim visitors would have no where to leave rubbish

The decline of boating holidays on the Broads is set to continue with hire craft numbers set to fall to 800 next year.

A report on the future of tourism on Norfolk and Suffolk waterways is to be considered by the Broads Authority.

Twenty five years ago, at the peak of demand for holidays afloat, there were around 4,000 boats, says the report.

"Next year this will fall to just 800 and this shows the decline of the industry," authors of the report said.

Officials and industry leaders are trying to halt the decline.

More help needed

The Broads Authority vice-chairman Martin Broom said: "Broadland needs to raise its profile nationally.

"It also could do with more help from Broadland District Council.

"They have made some strange decisions this year such as closing toilets and withdrawing rubbish collection services at mooring places.

"An authority which sees tourism as very important for its local people should be doing more to promote the industry."

Anthony Trafford representing hire boat owners on the Broads said: "People are not coming to the Broads because they have more choice today.

"A lot of them go abroad and with £25 flights it's difficult to compete.

"Unfortunately, no-one is publicising the Broads and this is where owners and the booking agencies need to get together and put more effort into publicising the area."