Make it York reveals STEAM figures on city’s tourism

A research firm called Global Tourism Solutions, using a tourism economic modeling tool called STEAM, also reported that visitors also spent £1.2 billion in the city last year.

Additionally, 17,000 full-time jobs in York were supported in 2022 across accommodation, visitor attractions, food and drink and retail.

The city’s attractions enabled one in five visitors to York to stay overnight last year, accounting for more than half of the total economic impact, with £249m of direct visitor spending going towards accommodation.

The data also shows that the city welcomed 8.9 million visitors in 2022, of which 1.2 million came from abroad, as we see the return of international travel. Although this increase does not yet reach the level before the Corona crisis, it shows a growth in the visitor economy of 54% compared to 2021.

Sarah Loftus, managing director of destination management organization Make It York, said: “We are extremely proud to see that the figures highlight the hard work of local businesses and organizations – tourism has a significant impact on York and our economy, not only by creating thousands of jobs for local people, but also through promoting understanding and relationships between communities, driving us toward a better, more connected future.

“York is such a dynamic city, with its unparalleled charm attracting people from all walks of life and from all over the world. As visitor numbers continue to rise, so too does the city’s reputation as a must-visit destination for anyone wanting an unforgettable city break.”

Councilor Pete Kilbane, deputy leader of the council and executive member for economy and transport, said: “York’s visitor economy has long been one of our city’s strengths and it’s great to see this reflected in these figures. We are very proud to be one.” “A city that welcomes visitors from all over the world who return again and again to enjoy York’s famous attractions. We continue to work hard to ensure our city remains a wonderful place for residents and visitors alike.”

Make it York added it was not difficult to understand why York was such a leading tourism destination.

It was recently named one of the ten most hospitable cities in the world by Booking.com. This was based on a pool of 240 million verified customer reviews on the Booking.com website.

The STEAM report showed data for all of 2022, a year in which the city hosted several world-class events such as the Rugby League World Cup and the Kiev Ballet.