What are the major factors impacting on consumers when deciding where to go on a day out?

Operators are becoming more proficient at garnering income from secondary revenue streams, and this now accounts for over half of the revenue generated by many attractions.

Which are the leading 'days out', leisure attractions in the UK, and what does their future hold?

There will be an estimated 400 million visits to days out attractions in the year 2000, a return to the high levels of 1997. The continued desire for value for money has seen faster growth among those attractions which do not charge an admission fee, inevitably impacting on the 'paid for' sector. However, the stability of the economy resulting in an increase in the numbers in employment and higher average earnings, has created a growth in the level of personal disposable income available to consumers. As the days out market has become more competitive, the leading private sector operators have increased their advertising budgets and activity both above- and below-the-line. The family and children markets are the backbone of the UK's leisure, country parks and piers attractions, yet additionally, places of particular appeal to younger children such as farms, wildlife parks and steam railways will continue to do well as parents increasingly look for more structured days out to entertain their offspring.

What are the major factors impacting on consumers when deciding where to go on a day out?

Operators are becoming more proficient at garnering income from secondary revenue streams, and this now accounts for over half of the revenue generated by many attractions.

Which are the leading 'days out', leisure attractions in the UK, and what does their future hold?

There will be an estimated 400 million visits to days out attractions in the year 2000, a return to the high levels of 1997. The continued desire for value for money has seen faster growth among those attractions which do not charge an admission fee, inevitably impacting on the 'paid for' sector. However, the stability of the economy resulting in an increase in the numbers in employment and higher average earnings, has created a growth in the level of personal disposable income available to consumers. As the days out market has become more competitive, the leading private sector operators have increased their advertising budgets and activity both above- and below-the-line. The family and children markets are the backbone of the UK's leisure, country parks and piers attractions, yet additionally, places of particular appeal to younger children such as farms, wildlife parks and steam railways will continue to do well as parents increasingly look for more structured days out to entertain their offspring.

This report considers the present state of the market and provides some pointers as to likely future prospects. With Sterling currently so strong, what will be the effect on in-bound tourists over the next few years? Looking at individual market segments, it seems as if the largest sector, museums and galleries, will benefit from the Government's attempts to roll out its free admissions policy. On top of this, historic buildings may benefit from the steady trend developing of an ageing population visiting local historical sights around the UK. Days Out analyses consumer perceptions of both value for money and entertainment for different venues, and determines the success of the mixture of activities and refreshments available.

Other Mintel reports of relevance include:

Leisure - In- versus Out-of-Town, Leisure Intelligence, March 2000

Health & Fitness Clubs, Special Report, 1999

Theme Parks Abroad, Leisure Intelligence, November 1999

Leisure in London, Leisure Intelligence, October 1999

Leisure Venue Catering, Leisure Intelligence, August 1999

Multi-leisure Parks, Leisure Intelligence, June 2000

UK Theme Parks, Leisure Intelligence, July 2000.