Google now has the Street View available for Ayr. Walk or drive the streets, pan up and down, zoom in or out or place a figure on a map to go directly to a location. These functions and more make getting around Ayr from a virtual perspective easy than ever before. Give it a drive!

October 2006. TripAdvisor, the largest travel company in the world, has announced the results of their annual global travel survey and Ayr has ranked third in the worlds top ten destinations and third in the European top ten destinations section.

Nearly 4,000 travellers took part in the survey and talked about their holiday plans and preferences for 2007.  The survey revealed that more people are turning to outdoor holidays, and in particular adventure holidays, over being pampered in a spa.  The survey also reveals travellers likes and dislikes about holiday destinations, travel destination preferences, budget considerations, favourite airlines and airports and much more.

Councillor Margaret Toner, the Convener of South Ayrshire Council’s Economic and Tourism Development Committee said:  “Ayr is a jewel in the crown of South Ayrshire, and nowadays it is so easy to get to whether you choose to travel by air, rail, road or sea.   Increasing numbers of people are coming to Ayr for short breaks to play world class golf courses, visit the races, take in a show at the Gaiety Theatre or enjoy first class shopping.  Many visitors come to enjoy the outstanding beaches and scenery, admire the architecture and sample the diverse range of food on offer.  The Council has worked hard with the traders in Ayr town centre to improve facilities and the appearance of the town.  Lots of people who come here for short breaks enjoy their visit so much that they return for regular breaks of varying lengths.  One thing that every visitor can be assured of is that they will receive a very warm welcome from local people, and I am convinced that is why Ayr is so popular.”

Describing Ayr the survey said:  “Ayr lies in the heart of “Burns Country” and was praised by the Scottish poet, with the lines ”Auld Ayr wham ne’er a toun surpasses, For Honest Men and Bonnie Lasses.” Located on the West Coast of Scotland, Ayr, looks out on of the Firth of Clyde, with the peaks of Arran in the foreground and the Mull of Kintyre in the background. The picturesque seaside town is steeped in history and features a street plan dating back to the 1200’s. Bordered by unspoiled beaches and leafy suburbs the town offers a wide range of accommodation to visitors and is close to the Royal Troon golf course and Ayr racecourse.”

The survey listed their predications for the hottest travel destinations in the world, the places that people wanted to visit, they were:

 The News above is from the South Ayrshire Council see http://www.south-ayrshire.gov.uk/news/2006/holiday-top.htm