Yorkshire delight as overseas visitor spending soars
Published: 4 August 2011
New figures just released show overseas visitors are choosing to spend more time and money in Yorkshire according to the International Passenger Survey. In the first quarter of 2011, people who came to Yorkshire from abroad spent over 70% more than in the same period in 2010.
The outstanding news for the county's tourism industry also reveals results which show the amount of money generated by overseas visitors holidaying in Yorkshire during the peak summer months has almost doubled in two years.
The overall expenditure of overseas visitors taking their summer holidays in Yorkshire has seen a major increase in recent years. In the summer (July - September) 2008 period overseas visitor spend was £33m. This increased dramatically following the launch of Welcome to Yorkshire and has virtually doubled to £59m (up from £43m for the same period in 2009).
Having been awarded World Travel Awards for its high profile marketing campaigns, beating off stiff competition from global agencies such as Virgin and Kuoni Group, Welcome to Yorkshire has continued the push into key international markets. Last year saw a major increase in visitors from Asia, US, and European countries such as Spain, Italy, Germany and France.
Gary Verity, chief executive of Welcome to Yorkshire, said: "Last year's peak of the tourism season proved to be record breaking for Yorkshire. Each year has seen a major increase on the previous year's figures. We are consistently raising our game and following the positive start to 2011 we are hoping the momentum continues to give us another record breaking summer.
"Yorkshire really is a global brand. The combination of attractive exchange rates and our intensive international marketing and PR campaigns is having a direct impact on the overseas visitor market. And once they are here we make sure they receive a warm welcome and an experience to remember. This is a real boost to the local economy and a fantastic result for the county's tourism industry."
Welcome to Yorkshire hopes to encourage more overseas visitors into the county with the high profile sponsorship of the Welcome to Yorkshire in the Clipper 2011-12 Round the World Yacht Race and its bid to bring the Tour de France Grand Depart to Yorkshire.
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Images attached:
- The iconic Yorkshire Dales
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Editors' Notes:
- Welcome to Yorkshire is the official destination management organisation for Yorkshire, working to grow the county's visitor economy.
- Welcome to Yorkshire is funded by Yorkshire Forward, the Regional Development Agency charged with improving the Yorkshire and Humber economy, and Welcome to Yorkshire members.
- Key facts include:
- Tourism in Yorkshire is worth £7 billion annually
- The county's industry employs almost a quarter of a million people
- There are 216 million visits to Yorkshire each year
For further information contact:
Beverley Richmond - Press Officer
Email: brichmond@yorkshire.com
Direct Line: 0113 322 3507
Mobile: 07769 257380
Jo Francisco - Press Officer
Email: jfrancisco@yorkshire.com
Direct Line: 0113 322 3563
Mobile: 07769257327