"Tatton Park is already the premier major attraction in the region with more than 800, 000 visitors a year, " councillor Jamie Macrae, Cheshire East Council Cabinet member with responsibility for prosperity, said.

BBC: Adventure park plans for Tatton Park

There was a measure of agreement from archrival Singapore, where Renton de Alwis, head of the National Association of Travel Agents Singapore, said Hong Kong Disneyland would be another attraction in the region for locals looking for theme-park experiences.

CNN: Making A Magic Kingdom

That's still not mass-market tourism, but the region's growing attraction has evoked howls from some quarters.

FORBES: Go with the Floe

It will be a major cultural attraction for the town and the region, bringing visitors and wealth to the area and increasing trade for local businesses.

BBC: Arts centre project funds appeal

Ixmiquilpan, MEXICO -- We heard about a strange thing when we came to Mexico: an attraction in the country's central region where tourists pay 20 bucks each to pretend they're illegal immigrants and make a run for a "make believe" border.

CNN: Pay to play a border crosser in bizarre tourist attraction

In the 1980s, Bill Clinton, then governor of Arkansas, attempted to turn Helena into a bright tourist attraction by creating the Delta Cultural Centre to promote the region's rich blues tradition.

ECONOMIST: The Delta region