Tourism report for York shows visitors are up
With tourism worth more than £2bn to the economy
The number of people coming to York is up, but it’s still not as high as pre-pandemic levels, according to a new report.
Make It York, which is an organisation dedicated to promoting the city as a destination, said tourism contributed £2.01bn to York's economy in 2024 - an increase of 5.04% since 2023.
Spending patterns:
• 34% of visitor spend went to York’s vibrant retail offering,
• 27% was spent on our diverse food and drink scene,
• 25% supported the city’s accommodation sector,
• 11% went toward recreation and entertainment, and
• 3% was spent on transport and getting around the city.
According to the report, overseas visitors accounted for nearly a quarter of the economic impact.
It also highlighted a rise in employment in the tourism sector, with 16,788 employees in 2024, an annual increase of 4.8%.
More than a million visitors stayed overnight, for an average of 3.3 nights each which was a slight increase on 2023 and more than half used serviced accommodation like hotels.
Sarah Loftus, Managing Director of Make It York, said:
“These results reflect the incredible work of our local businesses and partners in making York a truly world-class destination. Thank you to all our members who have contributed to this remarkable achievement. The continued growth of our visitor numbers and economy is a testament to the city’s enduring appeal and our collective efforts to deliver exceptional experiences.”