More daytrippers travel to district
RESEARCH: A swathe of North Yorkshire, home to Flamingo Land and North Yorkshire Moors Railway is attracting more daytrippers – but fewer people are staying the night.
Researchers found that while Ryedale saw a one per cent drop in overnight visits in 2018, the number of day trips rose four per cent on the previous year.
A SWATHE of North Yorkshire which is home to Flamingo Land, North Yorkshire Moors Railway and Dalby Forest is attracting more daytrippers – but fewer people are staying the night.
Researchers found that while Ryedale saw a one per cent drop in overnight visits to 390,000 in 2018, the number of day trips rose four per cent on the previous year (from just over 5 million to 5.2 million).
However the overall figure for tourism spend was £318.4m, up nine per cent on 2017 (£291.35m).
Tourism and development officer Craig Nattress, from Ryedale District Council, which commissioned the research, said people were spending more on day trips – taking in an extra attraction and going out for an evening meal – rather than staying over.
He said: “One of the key areas we need to address is converting day trips to overnight stays which is why we are encouraging the night-time economy in the area and improving the cultural offer, so people know there are things on in the evening.
“It’s also improving the collaboration between accommodation providers and attractions so everyone in the industry knows what’s happening.”
The figures also show the number of international visitors was up three per cent.
Mr Nattress said while highprofile events like the Tour de Yorkshire played a part, the National Parks’ cycling and walking agenda was also attracting overseas visitors, with the Dutch and Belgians particularly keen. Tourism was estimated to have supported 7,550 jobs in Ryedale, which is also nine per cent up on 2017.
Programme Director for Economic Development Phillip Spurr said the report “reinforces the fact that tourism is a vital industry for Ryedale”.
He said: “Not only does it support jobs, it makes a major contribution to our district’s overall economy and it is very encouraging to see that the overall figure for tourism spend is on the rise.”