BY HANNAH GRAHAM

Researchers are looking in to Weymouth’s economy to see what it is that makes coastal communities thrive.

The town is suffering due to a decline in the number of tourists and I think fewer people are aware of the number of attractions Weymouth has to offer.

With disposable income increasing, more people are choosing to travel abroad for more reliable sunshine and pristine beaches, which are often cheaper anyway.

Leaving the comfort of classic British seaside resort towns means they fall into decline.

This is a really crucial point for towns such as Weymouth that thrive on tourist activity as its main income.

A lack of tourists can cause a big dent in the economy.

The recent filming of upcoming film Dunkirk has brought more people to the shores in the hope of catching a glimpse of the beach where so many famous faces have been seen; however small acts of rejuvenation like this can not bring the level of visitors up permanently, as there are many other factors that affect the number of tourists.

I believe that young people should be further educated on the importance of their local area and how important tourism is to the economy.

It could even encourage people to choose to contribute to their local economy, knowing that it would plummet without the support of regular visitors. This money can then be re-invested in the local community.