ALMOST £312 million. That's how much income tourists brought into York during the past year.

At a time when many of the city's traditional industries are under threat York's continued, popularity with visitors is a real boon.

We are consistently in the top four tourist destinations in England, neck-and-neck with Bath and Chester behind London.

Last year's record-breaking £312 million was helped by the one-off success of Royal Ascot, which brought in £23 million. But even so, it was a fantastic achievement especially given the times we live in.

Ever since 2000, when we had the floods and foot and mouth disease to contend with, things have not been easy for the tourism industry. There was September 11 and, exactly a year ago, the July 7 bombings in London both of which hit the confidence of overseas visitors.

Despite that, people just can't seem to get enough of York. That is a tribute both to the city, and to the efforts of those who seek to promote it.

York isn't just a pretty museum. It isn't only the beauty of our historic buildings and narrow, quaint streets that make people want to come. As a city, we have been working hard at ensuring there is something here for everyone.

Last year was the Year Of Festivals. We now have the York Wheel, the Constantine Exhibition at the Yorkshire Museum, and the new DIG archaeology attraction not to mention a host of new shops.

There are also great attractions like the York maize maze, which all help make this such a special place to visit.

With the St Leger coming to York in September, the tourist boom looks set to continue.

It is welcome news when times look as though they could be getting harder in other sectors of industry.