TOURISM chiefs are toasting the success of York's attractions after visitor spending smashed through the £300 million barrier for the first time.

The First Stop York tourism partnership has announced income from tourists reached a record-breaking £311.8 million during the past year.

New investments, such as the Yorkshire Wheel, the Constantine Exhibition, the visitor attraction DIG and a surge of new retailers coming into the city, have been credited with helping to lure the crowds.

The 2005-2006 figures have been hailed as "fantastic", boosted by the one-off benefit of Royal Ascot last year, which brought in a further £23 million.

The annual survey, An Economic Impact Model For York, commissioned by City of York Council, is used by the Tourism Bureau to assess how the industry is faring.

Visitor figures were down slightly on the previous year (down 2.7 per cent) to 3.843 million.

But total income from tourism was up by eight per cent, taking account of inflation.

Those visitors who did stay in York lingered for longer, with the length of stay increasing from 3.05 days to 3.28 days.

Employment figures within the industry also rose to more than 9,500, and a record-breaking 28 per cent of all visitors arrived by train.

Visits from the US were up by six per cent.

York's traditional favourites its history, museums and interesting buildings remained strong, but people also liked the variety of things to see and do, and the restaurants and pubs.

Half of all staying visitors tend to go out in York in the evenings, mainly dining out, with ghost walks proving to be the second largest evening activity.

The latest information (from January to May, 2006) suggests hotel occupancy figures improved year-on-year in the springtime, though May figures were slightly down on 2005. The poor weather was a factor.

The same trend emerged with visits to attractions.

Gillian Cruddas, York Tourism Bureau's chief executive, said: "The growth in expenditure is very striking when we consider that York is attracting a relatively older and less affluent visitor.

"We value our loyal visitors greatly. However, York does have ample potential to perform even more strongly if higher income and younger visitors can be encouraged to visit as well.

"We're delighted with these results. Our aim isn't necessarily to bring in more visits, but more to ensure that visitors stay longer and spend more. We're also delighted that our co-operation with rail operators such as GNER and Virgin Trains has paid off."

Since the First Stop York tourism partnership was established in 1995, total income from tourism in York has risen by 52 per cent, the number of nights stayed by visitors has risen by 26 per cent and employment by 14 per cent.

2005-2006 York tourism survey snapshot

  • Income from tourism up to a record £311.8 million
  • Length of average visit up to 3.28 days
  • Record 28 per cent of visitors arrived by train
  • Tourism jobs rose to more than 9,500
  • Visitor figures down to 3.843 million
  • Visits from the US up by six per cent