New Windsor research reveals over 90% of visitors rate experience highly

11th January 2010

The latest survey carried out in the Royal Borough of Windsor & Maidenhead revealed that 92% of visitors rated the overall enjoyment of their day out, or short break, as ‘high’ or ‘very high’, while a huge 97% would be likely to recommended Windsor to others. These figures are based on a survey of visitors and residents interviewed in the town between late June and early October 2009 by the Research Unit at Tourism South East.

Some 80% of visitors said their visit to Windsor had met their expectations, and 19% that they were exceeded. Windsor Castle was easily the most popular visitor attraction; places to eat and drink and shops were also frequently mentioned as well as the Thames, riverside parks and gardens, Eton College and Windsor Great Park. The general atmosphere and ambience of the town with its historic aspects were also particularly liked.

Day out visits account for 81% of all trips to Windsor with the remaining 19% staying in commercial accommodation or with friends and family; 42% of those surveyed were visiting the town for the first time. 

Commenting on the research findings, Cllr Mrs Christine Bateson, Chair of the Royal Borough Visitor Management Forum said; “We are delighted with the survey results which clearly show all the hard work put in by the Visitor Management & Marketing team, and everyone across all sectors of the local visitor industry involved with creating a positive visitor experience, has been very worthwhile. Our next step must be to try and encourage more visitors to stay overnight, experience some of our superb accommodation and see the other attractions which the Royal Borough has to offer outside of Windsor and Eton”.

The survey also showed that the majority (66%) of visitors are from the UK with emphasis on Greater London, the Home Counties and Yorkshire, while the most popular countries of origin for overseas visitors were the USA, Australia, Canada and Germany. At 80% the largest proportion were visiting Windsor for a holiday or leisure activities such as shopping.

View the Windsor Visitor Survey 2009 in full here>