TOURISM bosses are hoping to keep cashing in on the "stay cation" trend and make Lincolnshire a Mecca for holidaymakers.
New figures have revealed more than 400,000 extra visitors in 2012 helped to swell pump the county's coffers by £10 million.
Spending rose 1 per cent to £1.115 billion from 2011, as tourist numbers increased two per cent to 17.4 million.
Most tourists are daytrippers and there is a push to get people to spend longer in Lincolnshire than the average 1.9 days in hotels and bed and breakfasts.
The rolling Wolds countryside and golden sands of the coastline pulled in 4,049,500 tourists in 2012, earning the district an impressive £496 million.
The county's tourism industry employed 17,796 people in 2012, up 3 per cent on the previous year.
And the area holds the regional record of tourists spending an average of 6.4 days self-catering in caravans, chalets, cottages or camping.
Colin Davie, Lincolnshire County Council's executive member for tourism, said: "I am extremely optimistic about the future and see real potential to establish our county, with its amazing beaches, wonderful heritage and fantastic countryside, as a Mecca for tourism and investment for many decades ahead.
David James, managing director of Global Tourism Solutions (UK) Ltd, which produced the data published by Lincolnshire Research Observatory, added: "The nature of tourism in East Lindsey is far more seasonal than Lincoln, for example, but East Lindsey is increasing its year-round offer, in common with other seaside destinations.
"Lincolnshire has done well because, put simply, if you offer the customer quality, they will buy."
ON THE WEB: Have you taken a 'staycation' this year? Do you enjoy what Lincolnshire has to offer? Visit www.grimsbytelegraph.co.uk and tell us more about it.
