How to spend 48 hours in York (From York Press)

Simon Calder's tips on how to spend 48 hours in York

9:01am Tuesday 29th January 2013 in News

Simon Calder and cameraman Douglas Bolton take a break from filming the Visit York video

Travel journalist Simon Calder, of The Independent, has launched his tips on how to spend 48 hours in York as part of Visit York’s marketing campaign for the year.

The newspaper has featured a double-page spread on the city and a new video has also been unveiled.

To coincide with Simon’s recommendations, Visit York has launched a new social media initiative to ask its 9,000 Twitter followers and 9,000 Facebook fans how they would spend 48 hours in York under the hashtag #York48hrs.

At the same time, 95,000 subscribers to the Independent online will receive tips from Visit York on what to see and do in the city.

Gillian Cruddas, chief executive of Visit York, said: “Our new partnership with VisitEngland has enabled us to work with a quality national newspaper with a superb reputation for inspiring travel articles.”

Simon said: “What a treat to be filming in York. It is the most photogenic of cities, and just made for the 48 Hours concept – with so many dimensions and such rich heritage packed concisely and elegantly within the walls. I hope it inspires many more visitors to come and spend at least two days here.”

This new marketing activity uses the first instalment of funding from the government’s Regional Growth Fund, as part of the Growing Tourism Locally investment project, led by the national tourist board VisitEngland and supported by East Coast Trains.

Visit York was recently awarded £666,666 to produce campaigns over the next three years to encourage more Britons to holiday in the city.