IN 1987 two million visitors came to York and between them they spent £55 million. Now the number of tourists has increased more than threefold while the annual spend has risen exponentially to £443 million.

But the city is not resting on its laurels and plans have today been announced to create a billion-pound tourism industry over the next ten years.

The scheme should get off to a flying start when York finds itself in the world’s spotlight as the Tour de France comes to the city.

But it’s not just about selling rooms on a summer weekend. More overseas visitors from North America, Europe and China will be targeted, while plans are afoot to attract visitors in the off-peak season. There are also ideas to target the lucrative conference sector and the business tourism pound.

Jane Lady Gibson, of Visit York, said partnership working will be the key to success and by encouraging businesses to put York at the heart of what they do, the city will have a stronger presence in the global tourism market.

We agree. And with Lonely Planet naming Yorkshire third in the top ten of world destinations, everything looks set for 2014 to be a bumper year. And hopefully the start of a bumper ten years.