VISITORS are deserting York for the charms of a neighbouring district because of controversial parking charges and Minster entry fees, it was claimed today.
But city tourism chiefs denied that thousands of tourists are deserting the city for Selby district.
Yorkshire Tourist Board figures reveal that visitors boosted the Selby area economy by £76 million in the last 12 months - a staggering increase of £20 million on the previous year.
Officials at Selby Abbey claim its refusal to impose charges and the fact that car parking is either free or relatively cheap has lured visitors away from York.
The tourism industry now supports 2,156 full-time and part-time jobs in Selby district, compared to the previous year's 1,736.
Brian Porter, administrator at Selby Abbey, said: "Since York Minster started charging we have seen visitor numbers shoot up by over 15 per cent."
The vicar of Selby Abbey, the Rev Keith Jukes, said: "There's no doubt that people are making a conscious decision to come here rather than pay the £4.50 admission charge at York Minster."
But York Tourism Bureau chief executive Gillian Cruddas said: "With Selby being so close to York it would be surprising if it didn't benefit from the strong tourism product of York.
"I'm surprised if people are choosing to go to Selby instead of coming to York because it's a completely different product.
"I think it's far too early to say people are choosing to go to York to go to Selby instead because of parking and Minster charging."
City of York Council's executive member for planning and transport, Coun Ann Reid, said figures for bed and breakfasts and hotels for June showed an increase in York.
The Chapter Steward at York Minster, Canon Peter Lyddon, denied that the charge had put people off visiting the Minster.
He said: "We are not aware of any linkage between the tourism figures at Selby Abbey and York Minster.
"We are delighted that Selby Abbey are doing well, as are we, and the more people that visit each church the better."
Updated: 10:30 Tuesday, August 24, 2004
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