Tories to return in 2013 and 2015

THE Conservative Party has signed a contract that will see it hosting its annual conference at Manchester Central in 2013 and 2015.

Manchester tourism chiefs have said the deal will be worth around £55m to the city’s economy. This week’s conference, which ended yesterday, was estimated to be woerth £27m  in terms of the event itself, delegate accommodation for surroubnding hotels and venues and rooms booked for fringe events.

Andrew Stokes, chief executive of Marketing Manchester, said: “This week, the city delivered another first-class event for the Conservative Party. The success of the 2009 and 2011 conferences is testament to Manchester’s partnership approach and we are thrilled to announce that this has enabled us to secure two future Conservative Party Conferences  for Manchester.

“Business tourism is vital to the Greater Manchester economy. Conferences such as these have a long lead time but it is important that we invest resource in winning these conferences now to ensure long term economic stability for tourism businesses.”

Marketing Manchester estimates that business tourism was worth £573m to the city-region last year.