Yorkshire takes tourism topspot
YORKSHIRE is on its way to becoming the UK’s top holiday destination according to figures out this week.
The official tourism agency Welcome to Yorkshire is working to grow the region’s visitor economy and revealed that the money spent by visitors in Yorkshire for 2009 increased by 13%.
If this growth continues Welcome to Yorkshire predicts the region could see an increase of £744m being spent by visitors for the year.
The results also show that Yorkshire was the fastest growing region during 2009 in attracting UK visitors compared to all other regions in the country, with the number of visitors up by 31% last summer.
Gary Verity, Welcome to Yorkshire’s chief executive, said: “The news shows how well we have been outperforming other UK destinations. London for example has had a tough year, it seems people want a great deal and they know that’s exactly what they’ll receive in Yorkshire. This is just the start; we plan to make our region the top destination in the UK.
“The timing couldn’t be better. Our aim is to keep Yorkshire in the hearts and minds of people looking to book half term activities, Easter breaks and their summer holidays. The next stage of our marketing campaign goes live this week and lets people know ‘there’s a great deal going on in Yorkshire’.”
Welcome to Yorkshire was launched last year with £30m funding over three years from Yorkshire Forward. It had a set a target of growing the amount of money visitors spend in the region by 5%.
The results follow the biggest ever marketing campaign to promote Yorkshire in the UK and overseas, which included the branding of the Hull & Humber Clipper yacht and a campaign in the Far East.
Tourism is fast becoming one of the most important economies in the region with the estimated value of tourism to the region having increased from £6.3bn to £6.5bn. It’s estimated a quarter of a million people in the region now work in tourism related jobs.
Tom Riordan, chief executive of Yorkshire Forward, said: “We know Yorkshire and Humber is a world class holiday destination and Welcome to Yorkshire has been key to promoting this both within the UK and internationally, with excellent results.
“Its high profile campaign has had a real impact in bringing more visitors to the region, providing a boost to Yorkshire and Humber’s economy and ensuring the tourism industry goes from strength to strength – all in the middle of a recession.”
Welcome to Yorkshire will be revealing more about last year’s success and its plans for 2010 at a tourism event on March 22 at Harrogate International Centre.
For further information www.welcometoyorkshire.net/Y10/Y10.aspx or contact 0113 322 3531.
