WRITERS from the other side of the pond have been shown around York in a bid to boost tourism.

The Society of American Travel Writers held a conference in Manchester this week, with many of the delegates travelling over the Pennines to visit our fair city.

Kay Hyde, of York Tourism Bureau, said more than 500 journalists from the society have been in the UK for the conference, organised by Visit Britain and England's North Country.

"This is such a fantastic opportunity to showcase all that York and the region has to offer to our American visitors," she said.

"We're delighted to be hosting 80 members of the Society of Travel Writers.

"This visit will result in many column inches of copy in the States about York as a travel destination, and it will enable us to boost our US visits in 2008, and it is particularly timely as we have been recently named European tourism destination of the year."

The delegates made a number of trips over to York, including a visit to the National Railway Museum on Tuesday.

Gillian Cruddas, chief executive of the tourism bureau, said: "I was delighted to welcome them and look after them. Ten per cent of our overseas visitors come from the US.

"We have exactly what they like - the history and the heritage.

"And the society members are the people who can help us increase those numbers by writing positive features."

The delegates also visited York Minster and other attractions in the city, as well as taking part in an evening ghost tour. Now in its 50th year, the Society of American Travel Writers is a professional association founded to promote responsible journalism.

Members include writers, photographers, editors, electronic media and journalists, film lecturers, broadcast, video and film producers and public relations representatives.


* Tourism Minister Margaret Hodge visited York Minster yesterday to launch the Visit England organisation, which encourages people to consider holidaying in this country rather than abroad.