York's thriving tourism sector continues to grow​

Make It York is thrilled to share the latest data on York's thriving tourism sector, showcasing its significant impact on our local economy and visitor numbers.

York welcomed a remarkable 9 million visitors in 2023, an increase of 2.2% (compared to the previous year in 2022). From these visitors, an estimated 1.3 million were overseas visitors.

This growth is a testament to the resilience of the industry and the effectiveness of our strategies to attract and engage with our visitors. The strong recovery signals renewed confidence and interest in what our city has to offer, as we continue to provide a safe, enjoyable, and enriching experience for all.

Tourism contributed a worth of £1.82 billion to York’s visitor economy, with a direct visitor expenditure of £1.2 billion. The highest proportion of spend was on York’s vibrant shopping scene at £411 million, followed by the array of food and drink available at £332 million. The biggest increase in spend was on the city’s accommodation at £309 million, up 12.4% (compared to 2022).

Tourism to the city also contributes to making York an attractive place to work and do business, with a total of 16,017 FTE jobs supported directly and indirectly by tourism.

This latest data highlights York as a premier destination for both domestic and international visitors.

A key factor in this success has been our collaborative approach. From local businesses and valued partners across the city, their support and commitment have been the cornerstone of our recovery and growth. These partnerships have been instrumental in expanding our reach, enhancing our programs, and driving more visitors to the city.

Thank you to everyone who has contributed to this success. Through our Visit York brand, we’ll work to continue these results and ensure York remains a world-class destination.

Sarah Loftus, Managing Director of Make It York, said:

“Make It York is delighted to reaffirm our commitment to showcasing the city as a premier, world-class destination. As we celebrate this milestone, we remain dedicated to driving collaboration and continuing to focus on further elevating the visitor experience and sustaining our upward momentum.”

Mark Mattinson, Visit York Members’ Advisory Board and General Manager at The York Dungeon, said:

"It is really encouraging to see such positive news. This is a great reflection of how hard every member of Visit York works in continuing to deliver an amazing welcome to York's visitors, and in turn reinforce our reputation as a world class visitor destination."

Dr Brendan Paddison, Chair of York Tourism Advisory Board and Associate Professor at York St John University, said:

“It's clear from the latest data shared by Visit York that York's tourism sector is thriving. This is reflective of the incredible work our tourism and hospitality businesses do on a daily basis to ensure York truly is one of the best destinations to visit for both visitors and residents. This success is built on genuine collaboration across the sector with key agencies and tourism businesses working together to ensure York's tourism sector continues to thrive.”