Conducted by the bank First Direct, with the aim of establishing what made Britons happy in the 21st century, the survey cited several reasons why the people of Bournemouth are so happy;

· Seven miles of golden beaches

· Buzzing cosmopolitan town centre packed with shops and restaurants

· Theatres and nightspots

· Award-winning gardens

· A wide range of sports

· Countryside and forest surrounding the town

Mark Smith Head of Tourism says: “Bournemouth’s success is built upon giving everyone a happy experience in the resort, whether they are lucky enough to live here, or are only able to visit for a short time. We are delighted that local people appreciate and are justifiably proud of the town, but we are not resting on our ‘happy’ laurels and are continuing to invest heavily to make Bournemouth even more fun in the future”.

Investments in the resort include the development of Bournemouth Pier and the regeneration of neighboring town Boscombe, which is soon to be home to Europe’s first artificial surf reef – mimicking the effects of a natural reef, it will be one of just four worldwide.

Though surveyed on the happiness of local residents, Bournemouth’s year round appeal ensures that this happiness can be shared by the holiday experiences of over 5 million visitors every year.