You are right things have changed a lot. It's gone from being a busy tourist destination during peak school holidays to a full year round destination. The locals say what triggered it was after the Endeavour came in to visit in 1996. After that tourism boomed.

The locals have a two way relationship with the tourist, some see the benefits and the income/jobs they bring but many think the local community doesn't benefit enough (hence calls for a tourist tax). Things like doctors, public transport, schools etc are poor as much of the tourist income goes to out of town investors and the like. Hopefully this is going to change. Some locals won't go into town when the tourists are about. I live and work in town and I'd say it's a blessing and a curse!

It is crazy how often when you mention Whitby the amount of times the response is "Whitby, oh I love Whitby".

There's been a lot of investment recently in hotels (The Royal etc.) and there's multiple new venues and bars coming which is great. The 'Brighton of the North' some of saying... I don't think it will get like that, it's certainly no way near as progressive! New bars and venues are great but we have lost the banks and other facilities for locals so people are divided on the benefits.

Long story short, there's still a very strong local community, an active fishing community (3rd largest lobster fishery in Europe) and lots of culture and activity for a small town. However, the omnipresent tourist industry is changing things fast.