(Image: Make It York)
Tourism brought a £2.08 billion boost to York’s economy last year, according to new figures from Make It York.
The economic impact report for 2025 highlights a 3.6 per cent year-on-year rise, underlining the city’s continued appeal for both domestic and international visitors.
York attracted 8.88 million visitors in total, including 1.87 million overnight guests — a nine per cent increase compared to 2024.
Sarah Loftus, managing director of Make It York, said: "The continued growth of York’s economy is a testament to the city's enduring appeal and our collective efforts to deliver exceptional experiences.
"It shows the pivotal role our local businesses, tourism partners and city-wide stakeholders have played in welcoming visitors to the city.
"We will continue to work together to enrich the visitor experience for residents and visitors, ensuring York continues to shine as the world-class destination it is."
Domestic travellers accounted for the majority of tourism revenue, contributing £1.5 billion, while overseas visitors generated £570 million — more than a quarter of the total.
Visitor spending was spread across the city’s major sectors, with 32 per cent going to retail, 27 per cent to food and drink, 27 per cent to accommodation, 11 per cent to recreation and entertainment, and three per cent to transportation.
Overnight visitors made a particularly strong contribution, with their economic impact now exceeding pre-pandemic levels.
The average stay was 3.1 nights across hotels, serviced accommodation, non-serviced accommodation, and stays with friends and family.
International visitors remained an important part of York’s tourism mix, representing 18 per cent of total visits.
Nearly half (47 per cent) of these visitors stayed overnight, with serviced accommodation as the most popular choice.
Their average stay was 3.6 nights, reflecting the city's strong international appeal and the value of longer visits.
Tourism also supported 15,900 full-time equivalent jobs in 2025, both directly and indirectly.
Make It York focuses on promoting the city across the UK and abroad as a vibrant place to live, visit, study, work, and do business.
Its priorities include city positioning, developing a dynamic city centre, and delivering York’s cultural strategy.
The organisation aims to drive economic growth and improve quality of life for residents through focused campaigns and collaborative projects.