Visitors from overseas spend more on visits to York

The York Visitor Survey is the biggest independent survey of tourists staying in York and throughout 2012 over one thousand people were questioned about their opinions of York, their motivations for visiting, where they had travelled from and their likes and dislikes.

It reveals that the average amounts being spent a day by tourists in 2012 was £34.52, up from £32.95 in 2011. However the average being spent for overnight visits was slightly down at £79.65, in comparison with £80.36 in 2011.

Overseas visitors spent 21 per cent more per day than visitors from the UK.

York is increasingly becoming a city that is attractive to 16 to 34 year-olds, with this age group making up 23 per cent of all visits, up from 17 per cent in 2011.

It also remains a popular destination with those aged 45 to 54, couples and 25 per cent of visitors travelled to the city with their families.

Kate McMullen, head of Visit York said: “Overall, last year was a good year.

“Average room occupancy exceeded 80 per cent for the first time in a number of years and York also continued to have strong appeal overseas. Whilst visits to attractions dipped slightly last summer, this is now back on track with robust figures so far for 2013.

“It’s good news too that more visitors than ever before are taking part in festivals and events and we’re increasing our appeal to a younger audience. We’re delighted with the results of our annual visitor survey and will use this for our planning for 2014 and beyond.”

Tourism chiefs say that overseas visitors, as well as spending more, are also staying longer. The average length of stay in York remained the same at 3.3 nights, however, overseas visitors stayed longer; an average of 4.1 nights.

The biggest percentage of UK visitors come from other parts of Yorkshire, followed by the North West, London and the South East, the North East and the Midlands. Fifteen per cent of all visits were the historic city proving popular with visitors from the United States, Australia, Germany, the Netherlands, France, Canada, Spain and China, Italy and Norway.

During 2012 tourism chiefs say that the city’s hotels, B&Bs and other accommodation were occupied an average of 80.1 per cent, peaking in September, boosted by the Festival of Food and Drink to 88.5 per cent. This grew from 79 per cent in 2011.

Over the period there was also a decrease in the number of visitors to the city’s largest eight visitor attractions, with 2.3m visits in 2012, compared with 2.5m in 2011.

“However, whilst 2012 showed a decrease in visits to attractions, so far in 2013 visits to attractions are up year on year by 16 per cent,” a spokeswoman for Visit York said.

Eating and drinking remained the most popular activity in the city, with visiting attractions, strolling around and enjoying the ambience and shopping all key reasons why people want to visit.

The numbers of visitors enjoying a festival whilst in York have steadily increased year on year, with 13 per cent of visitors now stating they took part in a festival or event during their stay.

An update on actual visitor numbers to the city and the amount they spent is expected to be available early next year, tourism bosses said yesterday.

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