East Riding – Tourism in Hull and East Yorkshire has passed the £1bn mark for the first time, underlining the growing importance of the visitor economy to the region.
The figure comes from a new independent report for VisitBritain and VisitEngland, produced by Oxford Economics.
The milestone marks a notable rise on earlier estimates of just over £800m and reflects continued growth in visitors and activity across the area. Visit Hull and East Yorkshire said the figures show the scale of the sector and its value to jobs, businesses and local communities.
Chris Blacksell, chair of Visit Hull and East Yorkshire, described reaching the £1bn figure as “fantastic news” and said tourism plays “a vital role in our regional economy”. He also said the report gives a robust independent picture of the strength of the area’s visitor economy, while noting that its methodology is slightly different from earlier studies.
Tourism is often talked about in terms of attractions and events, but its impact is wider than that. It supports hospitality, retail, transport and cultural venues across the region, from coastal resorts and countryside destinations to historic towns such as Beverley.
The figures were released as part of English Tourism Week, the annual campaign highlighting the industry’s contribution to local economies and communities. Visit Hull and East Yorkshire, the accredited Local Visitor Economy Partnership for the area, said it is using the week to build support for further growth in the sector.
For Beverley, the figures reflect something already visible in the town itself. Visitor footfall, events and cultural activity have all helped strengthen its position as one of the region’s key destinations. That does not remove the pressures on hospitality and tourism businesses, but it does show that the sector is now a major part of the wider local economy.