Isle of Man tourism glory days celebrated in exhibition

Image source, Manx National Heritage

Image caption, The show is being held at Port St Mary Town Hall and runs until 26 July.

13 July 2015

The "glory days" of tourism in the south of the Isle of Man is being celebrated in a new exhibition.

The show explores a time when tens of thousands of British holidaymakers visited Port Erin and Port St Mary each summer during the 1950s and 60s .

Organisers said the exhibition was based on extensive research and interviews with holidaymakers, hoteliers and local residents.

The show is being held at Port St Mary Town Hall and runs until 26 July.

Hugh Davidson, of the Rushen Heritage Trust, said every summer Port Erin and Port St Mary became "one big holiday camp providing a wide range of local activities and entertainment".

He said the exhibition explores the era through the "prism of five famous Southern hotels and focuses on people and their stories - owners, staff and guests".

He said the display features "many big and enterprising personalities, with fascinating stories".

It focuses on hotels in the parish of Rushen - two of which have now closed.