Summer sightseeing success sees 10,000 jump aboard
Story Published: 21 October 2010
Leeds residents are being invited to take a free ride on the Leeds City Sightseeing Bus and Boat to mark the final weekend of the season for the tours.
The scheme has been a huge success since its May launch, and the bus and boat have together welcomed aboard in excess of 10,000 passengers so far.
Summer passenger figures were so strong, it meant Welcome to Yorkshire - the county's official tourism agency - could extend both services beyond their planned September end date and run until October 31.
And to celebrate the success, residents will be able to ride for free on both services on October 30 and 31.
Welcome to Yorkshire is now looking to bring the services back in 2011 and talks are under way to explore this.
Gary Verity, Chief Executive of Welcome to Yorkshire, said: "Both services have been a real success and the fact that more than 10,000 people have jumped aboard both shows just that.
"We launched them to help promote the city as a tourist destination and encourage people to see more, stay longer and spend more money on things like retail, food and drink - supporting the local economy in the process.
"We know lots of people come to stay in the city during the week, but by offering more tourist services like the bus and boat we hope more people will stay longer and experience everything Leeds has to offer."
Welcome to Yorkshire will also be teaming up with the Royal Armouries to add a special spookiness to the bus for selected departures during the weekend, so look out for some special passengers - you have been warned!
Mr Verity added: "What better way to finish the sightseeing season than with a free residents weekend to thank people for their support. It's also Hallowe'en, so I hope families will take this opportunity to jump aboard the services while experiencing all the other themed events Yorkshire has to offer."
To take advantage of the free weekend, all people need to do is take something to prove they are a Leeds resident, like a Leeds Card, a bill or ID with their address.
This can either be taken onboard the boat and bus or to the Leeds Visitor Centre until October 31 to get free tickets.
Welcome to Yorkshire has been working with operators Transdev and Leeds City Cruisers Ltd on the tours.
For more information on the sightseeing tours and to find out what's going on in Yorkshire visit www.yorkshire.com
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Editors' Notes:
- Welcome to Yorkshire is the official tourism agency 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.
- Key facts include:
- Tourism in Yorkshire is worth £6.5 billion annually
- The county's industry employs almost a quarter of a million people
- There are 209 million visits to Yorkshire each year
Please take a look at www.yorkshire.com/mediacentre where you will find Welcome to Yorkshire news, feature suggestions, a free image bank and much more.
For further information contact:
Graham Poucher - Press Officer (West Yorkshire)
Email: gpoucher@yorkshire.com
Direct Line: 0113 322 3578
Mobile: 07805 958728
Jo Francisco - Press Officer
Email: jfrancisco@yorkshire.com
Direct Line: 0113 322 3563
Mobile: 07769 257327