Value of Peak tourism hits new heights
The value of tourism to the Peak District and Derbyshire economy exceeded all expectations in 2017 – rising by six per cent to £2.15 billion.
New research released by official tourist board Marketing Peak District & Derbyshire reveals that the increase on 2016 was double the average annual rise of three per cent since 2011.
Annual visitor numbers rose to 40.45 million, an increase of more than 1.3 per cent, while the number of full time equivalent jobs supported by the visitor economy is up by almost 2.5 per cent at 28,630.
The latest figures also reveal a trend for more visitors to stay in non-serviced accommodation such as self-catering and at camping and caravanning sites.
Jo Dilley, Managing Director of Marketing Peak District & Derbyshire said “This is excellent news for the Peak District and Derbyshire economy, and for everyone who lives, works and comes to stay here”
“The significant rise in tourism’s overall value over the past year signals that our long-term policy to run innovative and targeted marketing, PR and social media campaigns to encourage more people to come and stay for longer and to spend more money here is really paying off.”
“The latest figures also show that our efforts to attract more visitors at quieter times of the year to extend the season from February to November are also effective, with more people staying for three or four nights rather than two.”
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