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54 . www.conference-news.co.uk . February 2012February COASTAL VENUEShere is a fresh sense of optimism in many of Britain's coastal resorts of late. Tourism chiefs have realised the importance of business tourism to these towns and signifi cant investments have been made to hotels and conference facilities. Years of under-investment in destinations such as Scarborough and Blackpool meant larger conferences took their business to more modern city destinations such as Manchester, London and Liverpool.In the last two years a very different picture is emerging. "Investment in Scarborough has produced signifi cant improvement in accommodation and facilities with award winning hotels and restaurants as well as signifi cant development of the cultural quarter. This has bought clients back as they can see signifi cant changes," Scarborough Borough Council's Spa Sales Development Managaer, Jo Ager, tells CN."The focus on business tourism has grown over the last few years and accommodation providers, venues and the borough councils see the signifi cant importance of this business to Scarborough. The lack of funding available in the past to improve facilities resulted in some conferences seeking alternative destinations," she adds.The future is looking particularly bright for Blackpool's event's industry. The seaside town has seen £250m worth of regeneration and a three-phase refurbishment plan at its biggest venue, the Winter Gardens. Investment into a comprehensive marketing strategy and a new tram way improving connections between hotels, venues and the town centre has also been made.Last year's 2011 fi gures showed business tourism was worth £45m to Blackpool, this was an increase of £5m from 2010. Visit Blackpool's Business Tourism Manager, Mandy Tythe-McCallum tells CN: "Due to the regeneration in the resort we've seen a marked increase in enquiries during 2011 and hopefully by maintaining our marketing and PR Coastal revival TSeaside resorts are back in business, as money is being pumped into them to help attract conferences and events. Vikki Carley reports