The Region’s Number One Entertainment & Classifieds Newspaper ISSUE 1685 // 22nd july - 28th JUly
LOCAL FOOTBALL & SPORT // 7 DAY TV LISTINGS // 50+ NEWS & ADVICE
TOURISM brings £4 BILLION to south yorkshire
South Yorkshire’s visitor economy has reached a significant milestone, generating £4.0 billion for the local economy in 2025 and supporting 32,800 jobs across the region. The latest figures show continued growth in visitor numbers, visitor spending and employment, underlining the strength and resilience of South Yorkshire’s tourism sector. An estimated 38.3 million visits were made to South Yorkshire during the year, including 34.4-millionday visits. Day visitors accounted for 80% of the region’s total visitor economy impact, an increase of 6.4% compared with the previous year. The accommodation sector continues to evolve, with growth in non-serviced accommodation such as self-catering properties and short-term lets. While overnight stays fell slightly by 0.7%, this reflects wider
national trends as visitors increasingly seek flexible and affordable travel options amid ongoing costof-living pressures. The figures, commissioned by the South Yorkshire Local Visitor Economy Partnership (SYLVEP) and produced using Global Tourism Solutions’ STEAM model, also show that visitor spending supports 32,788 full-time equivalent jobs, highlighting tourism’s importance as a key economic sector for the region. The announcement comes as South Yorkshire prepares to welcome visitors for a packed programme of major events in the months ahead. Hotels, restaurants, bars, attractions and local businesses across the region are expected to benefit from increased visitor spending, with many visitors discovering South Yorkshire’s cities, towns and attractions for the first time.
Key highlights that have already taken place this month include major cultural festivals such as the Children’s Media Conference and Crossed Wires, alongside the 250th anniversary of the St Leger Festival at Doncaster Racecourse in September. Together, these events play a vital role in highlighting the region’s creativity and strengthening its visitor economy offer. This sits alongside a strong pipeline of world-class sporting and major events, including the long-term extension of the World Snooker Championship in Sheffield through to 2045. Looking ahead, the region is also preparing to welcome the Tour de France Femmes avec Zwift on 31 July next year, further reinforcing South Yorkshire’s position as a destination for internationally significant events. The region has also
seen significant recent investment in its tourism infrastructure. Elsecar Heritage Centre reopened following major capital and building works, with a refreshed events programme getting underway from August. At Rother Valley Country Park, the new £8m Waterfront development has recently opened, delivering a lakeside café, event space, improved public realm, enhanced play facilities and upgraded parking provision. Improved sustainable access has also been delivered through the opening of the new £10m tram stop at Magna Science Adventure Centre, a key addition to the Sheffield–Rotherham tram-train corridor. The development includes Park & Ride facilities and stepfree access, significantly improving connectivity to Magna and the wider Lower Don Valley.
Looking ahead, Yorkshire Wildlife Park will introduce a brand-new species to Doncaster as it welcomes a colony of penguins to an exciting new habitat opening in summer 2026. Featuring underwater and above-water glass viewing areas, the development will provide a spectacular new visitor experience while reinforcing the park’s reputation for conservation and adding to its yearround appeal. The South Yorkshire Local Visitor Economy Partnership (SYLVEP) brings together Barnsley Council, City of Doncaster Council, Rotherham Metropolitan Borough Council, Sheffield City Council, the South Yorkshire Mayoral Combined Authority and private sector partners to drive growth in the region’s visitor economy through shared priorities and collaborative action.
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