09 June 2008

Bognor is 'most recognisable UK destination'

Half of Britons have failed to correctly identify the locations of famous landmarks and popular tourist destinations.

On average 50% of the population is unable to place a selection of BritainÃ¢â¬â¢s most historic landmarks and tourist destinations on a map, according to data collected by Holiday Inn, part of InterContinental Hotels Group.

The most recognisable of all the destinations surveyed was the south coast resort of Bognor Regis, which beat more famous landmarks.

But 85% failed to pinpoint The National Space Centre, a Landmark Millennium Project in Leicester Ã¢â¬' which cost nearly Ã&#pound;89 million.

And nearly seven out of ten people (64%) donÃ¢â¬â¢t know where Loch Ness is.

The Ã&#pound;500 million Olympic Village fared far better, with 54% of the population correctly placing it in East London. But half of Londoners did not know where it is, with those in Edinburgh and Manchester placing it most accurately (62%).

Landmarks in the North proved to be more challenging than some Southern destinations, with 80% of the public failing to find the Angel of the North. This figure improved slightly in Newcastle, but seven out of ten Geordies still got it wrong, according to the poll.

Despite Bristol being its closest neighbour, the people of Belfast topped the list of those identifying Stonehenge correctly (44%), although they live some 400 miles away.

Liverpudlians consistently scored the lowest percentage of correct answers, closely followed by residents of Cardiff.

In contrast Edinburgh came out on top by providing continually strong percentage answers and achieving the best regional scores on two occasions.

Those aged 16-24 had the lowest scores and only 15% could identify the Sandringham Estate, the Norfolk retreat of The Queen.

Over-55s trouncing the younger generations in 90% of the answers.

Men out-performed women in each location test by an average of 12%.

Holiday Inn spokesman Chris Hale said: Ã¢â¬ÅâœFor a nation with a great history of travel, itÃ¢â¬â¢s amazing weÃ¢â¬â¢re stumped by some of our own most famous landmarks.

Ã¢â¬ÅâœItÃ¢â¬â¢s actually pretty surprising how many people got these locations wrong. Brits love travelling around the UK rediscovering our many treasures - Holiday Inn guests have an average of four short breaks around the UK a year now, so we should have a pretty good idea where things are.

Ã¢â¬~Then again, there are so many wonderful places to get out and about to see, I think we can excuse ourselves for getting a bit confused.Ã¢â¬~

by Phil Davies