Rotherham for romance? No, thanks!
With Valentine’s Day fast approaching, travel agencies cannot be blamed for trying to take advantage of the romance in all of us.
But one Thomson Holidays shop in the north of England has been ridiculed for trying to sell a romantic break – in the town of Rotherham.
The Times, reporting the story, states that Rotherham’s website promises “attractive pedestrianised areas” and “some of the cheapest car parking in Yorkshire”.
But, despite the town’s obvious attractions for those wanting to a romantic break – and a bargain price of £39 including four-star accommodation – no bookings were taken and the offer has now been withdrawn.
A spokesman for the company, blaming adverse publicity on a local radio station, is quoted as saying: “People heard about it on the radio and were laughing at it, so, to be honest, we thought we would be better to pull it.”
Rotherham’s economic development spokesman reportedly said: “People need to get past the stereotype of smoke stacks, steel and coal. This is actually one of the cleanest industrial areas you will find anywhere in the world.
“Rotherham has many hidden gems and I feel sorry that people in Hull have not had the chance to come here.”
Report by Tim Gillett, News From Abroad Ltd
Vegas’s Billion-Dollar Secrets – What They Don’t Want Tourists to Know
Visit Florida’s New CEO Bryan Griffin Shares His Vision for State Tourism with Graham
Chicago’s Tourism Renaissance: Graham Interviews Kristin Reynolds of Choose Chicago
Graham Talks with Cassandra McCauley of MMGY NextFactor About the Latest Industry Research
Destination International’s Andreas Weissenborn: Research, Advocacy, and Destination Impact
Graham and Don Welsh Discuss the Success of Destinations International’s Annual Conference
Graham and CEO Andre Kiwitz on Ventura Travel’s UK Move and Recruitment for the Role
Brett Laiken and Graham Discuss Florida’s Tourism Momentum and Global Appeal
Graham and Elliot Ferguson on Positioning DC as a Cultural and Inclusive Global Destination
Graham Talks to Fraser Last About His England-to-Ireland Trek for Mental Health Awareness
Kathy Nelson Tells Graham About the Honour of Hosting the World Cup and Kansas City’s Future
Graham McKenzie on Sir Richie Richardson’s Dual Passion for Golf and His Homeland, Antigua
ADS PRO 
Global tourism exceeds 1.5 billion travelers announces UN-Tourism
Qatar Airways offers reduced timetable to over 60 destinations
WTTC global tourism reached record economic impact of 11 trillion in 2025
Hands In, UATP join forces for airline multi-card payments
Overseas travelers to the United States declined by 2.5% in 2025