English Tourism Week is an important annual celebration of the industry, spearheaded by VisitEngland, the week aims to increase recognition of tourism as a vital contributor to the economy. It also helps to launch the spring/summer season for businesses and destinations and increase awareness of the diverse offering that we have for visitors in the country. The visitor economy in North Yorkshire is worth £4.2 billion (STEAM, 2024) and 32.3 million people were welcomed to the region in 2024. Tourism in North Yorkshire supports over 38,000 full time equivalent jobs locally and is vital to not only the local economy but the wider UK economy too.
This year’s theme is “Local Stories. National Growth”, and North Yorkshire has a wealth of local stories which contribute to a thriving visitor economy, attracting tourists from the UK and internationally. It is an exciting and vibrant destination with a rich history and age old traditions, as well as new and refreshed attractions, accommodation and food and drink businesses. As part of our English Tourism Week celebrations, we are spotlighting three local stories which reflect shifts in visitor behaviour with a rising interest in rail-based travel, experiential tourism, wellness and heritage experiences.
Settle-Carlisle Railway
Built in the Victorian era, the Settle Carlisle Railway is as relevant today as it was then and this year it celebrates its 150th year of passenger travel. To mark the milestone, a steam train with heritage carriages will be travelling from Carlisle to York, in addition to a host of celebratory events. Named “Europe’s most scenic railway” by Lonely Planet, it is an important main line connecting local communities whilst stunning views of the Yorkshire Dales help attract visitors from across the country.
Ripon hornblower
The only Cathedral city in North Yorkshire and one of Britain’s smallest cities, Ripon is best known for its stunning 7th century cathedral, award-winning museums, and the long observed tradition of the Ripon hornblower. The economic impact of tourism in Ripon is notable at £87.79 million and it attracted 598,000 visitors (2024 STEAM report), spending 1 million days in Ripon. Age-old traditions such as the Ripon hornblower add to the charming appeal of the city, with the nightly setting of the watch dating back to the Middle Ages, a spectacle which attracts visitors and takes place to this day.
Scarborough 400
Scarborough is in the national spotlight this year, marking 400 years since Thomasin Farrer discovered mineral springs beneath the cliffs near to Scarborough Spa, which laid the foundation for Scarborough as a health retreat and ultimately earned it the status as “Britain’s first seaside resort”. Scarborough is vital to the North Yorkshire visitor economy as it welcomes 3.9 million visitors who spend 6.5 million days in Scarborough, generating an economic impact of £579.54 million (STEAM report 2024). Over 5,500 FTE employees work in the tourism industry in the town, all contributing to a diverse and vibrant coastal offering for visitors to enjoy on day trips and overnight stays.
How to get involved in English Tourism Week
There is still time to get involved in the social media campaign, by showcasing your tourism business and sharing the local stories that tell the story of why our destination well worth visiting. Join in the conversation by using the hashtag #EnglishTourismWeek26.
