Record-breaking visits made to God’s Own County

Tourism in Yorkshire is continuing to grow as the region once again breaks its record of visitor numbers, with a 12% increase in visits.

According to new figures released by Visit Britain this week, Yorkshire experienced a record breaking six months last summer. Between July and September, the region also saw a 21% increase in overnight stays, making summer 2016 the highest quarter for Yorkshire since records began in 1961.

Visit Britain director Patricia Yates said: “This strong growth in inbound tourism is great news for Yorkshire, not only demonstrating its appeal to visitors from across the globe, but underpinning tourism’s increasingly important role as a driver of economic growth across the region.”

Spending by inbound visitors last summer was also up 14% on last year between July and September to £194 million.

Statistics for April to June 2016 showed a 10% increase in visits and 8% increase in spend as well, indicating the ascending growth in tourism over the course of last year.

Germany, Australia and the USA were among the countries with the most Yorkshire-bound visitors, while the top three reasons for trips were visiting friends and relatives, holidays and business travel.

Chief executive of Welcome to Yorkshire Sir Gary Verity said: “This is a testament to the hard work of businesses within the county to make Yorkshire very much front of mind domestically and internationally.

“Events like the Tour de Yorkshire, 2019 UCI Road World Championships as well as Columbia Threadneedle World Triathlon Leeds, Great Yorkshire Show and Yorkshire Festival, all help to showcase what Yorkshire has to offer. The profile of the county has never been higher and we will keep working to promote the county as the number one visitor destination.”

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