So – spring is here. Hard to believe, I know, with footage in recent weeks of ten-foot snow drifts and reports of the coldest March on record since 1975, but it’s great to see that the tourism industry hasn’t let a few snowflakes prevent a “full steam ahead” march into exciting programmes of spring and summer events.

And it isn’t just about leisure visitors. Visit York research shows that business tourism generated more than £200 million for the city in 2008, and highlights that business visitors spend longer here in York than in other destinations – putting us higher than regional and national averages.

Our ability to attract people to visit, stay and – crucially – keep coming back is no mean feat. Competition for people’s business and leisure time is increasingly fierce, with many of the UK’s cities upping their game to give people more and more reasons to visit.

Conference and event venues such as ours are continually developing their offer and enhancing the facilities available to business visitors, who are encouraged to prolong their stay thanks to the hard work of our visitor attractions, a diverse festivals programme and a vibrant, burgeoning arts and cultural community.

The ace up Yorkshire’s sleeve for 2014 is without doubt the Grand Départ, and it’s vital that local businesses act now to capitalise on the opportunities afforded by the departure of Stage Two from York in only 15 months’ time.

So how can we ensure that the tourism and wider business communities work closely together to maximise this and other opportunities, and continue the upward trajectory of business and leisure visitors to the city? Our annual York St John Tourism Futures conference, which took place last week, brought those very people together to look at the opportunities and challenges.

The forthcoming launch of Visit York and City of York Council’s York Tourism Strategy will build on that, looking at – among other things – how York can capitalise on opportunities for business conferencing, derive maximum economic benefit from its history and heritage, grow audiences for its diverse programme of festivals and ensure public transport services meet visitor needs. One thing’s for sure: only by working together can we maintain York’s pole position, capitalise on the exciting opportunities ahead and ensure this city remains a thriving destination for business and leisure visitors alike.

Sue Reece is Pro Vice-Chancellor (Development) at York St John Business School