INTERNATIONAL tourism has risen much faster in Yorkshire than elsewhere in Britain, latest figures have revealed.
The value of international trips taken to the region has increased by 22 per cent compared with three per cent nationally.
Tourism bosses say the growth follows extensive marketing and PR campaigns overseas, including Germany, France and Asia.
In the USA and Canada, the official tourism agency Welcome To Yorkshire has been working with VisitBritain and Universal Films to attract people to the county as part of the release of the latest film adaptation of the Brontë classic Jane Eyre.
Welcome To Yorkshire chief executive Gary Verity said the figures were a good indication that the region may well be the top destination outside of London for people visiting the UK, both in the lead up to and during the 2012 Olympic Games.
The agency aims to build on the current success next week at the World Travel Market, the leading global event for the travel industry, where it will be flying the flag for Yorkshire.
Mr Verity said: “We have some exciting projects in the pipeline for next year to make sure Yorkshire stays front of mind for overseas visitors.”
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