Hoteliers Launch Campaign 'Shining Light' on Town

Hoteliers in Bournemouth are launching a campaign to dispel negative perceptions of the town. The BH Area Hospitality Association (BAHA) said its upbeat Check In – Chill Out marketing campaign has been created to showcase the best of Bournemouth.

Hoteliers said they wanted to "shine a light" on Bournemouth

The area has seen a number of high-profile incidents in recent years, including the murder of Amie Gray and the body parts of a murdered lodger being found in a suitcase. Association chair Rosie Radwell said the town faced social challenges but problems had been "exaggerated beyond recognition."

With a focus on crime and prevention in the town, Ms. Radwell said the BAHA campaign was about reclaiming our story. She added, "[It's about] reminding ourselves how fortunate we are to live and work here, and shining a light on the wonderful experiences awaiting visitors."

'Tide Turning'

Tim Lloyd, director at the Captains Club Hotel in Christchurch, said they were not "ignoring certain issues" and the group was "not wearing rose-tinted glasses." He emphasized, "The media spotlight has been skewed. For those unfamiliar with Dorset, the coverage simply doesn't reflect reality."

Ms. Radwell continued, "We need to challenge the recent coverage that has painted an unfairly bleak picture. We want that positivity to spread and when visitors feel it too, the whole community benefits. We can definitely feel the tide turning, people have had enough of the negativity."