East Riding's visitor economy hits record £1bn high, says new report
Hull and East Yorkshire’s visitor spend has topped £1 billion, a new independent economic report for the national tourism agency has revealed.
VisitBritain/VisitEngland’s report, conducted by Oxford Economics, reveals the tourism sector’s contribution to the UK economy and employment, its impact across the nations and regions and its potential for growth.
Visit Hull and East Yorkshire (VHEY) – the Local Visitor Economy Partnership (LVEP) for the region – is nationally accredited by VisitEngland and supported by Hull and East Riding of Yorkshire councils.
It connects, supports and promotes the visitor economy, driving economic growth, place development and sustainability.
Chris Blacksell, chair of VHEY, said: “Reaching the £1 billion milestone for visitor spend in Hull and East Yorkshire is fantastic news, and it’s especially fitting as we celebrate English Tourism Week.
“Tourism plays a vital role in our regional economy, supporting jobs, sustaining businesses and showcasing the unique places, people and experiences that make our area such a great destination to visit.
“This latest report uses a slightly different methodology to previous studies, so direct comparisons should be viewed in that context, but it remains a robust independent assessment and clearly demonstrates the strength of our visitor economy.
“While this milestone is something to celebrate, we recognise these are still challenging times for some in the sector. VHEY is here to champion and support all our tourism and hospitality businesses and help the industry continue to grow and thrive.”
Councillor Nick Coultish, portfolio holder for culture, leisure and tourism at East Riding of Yorkshire Council, said: “Hull and East Yorkshire offers visitors an incredible variety of experiences, from our stunning coastline and countryside to historic towns, unique attractions and fantastic food and drink.
“This report highlights the strength of the region’s visitor economy and the dedication of the many businesses and people who work hard to create exceptional experiences for visitors.”