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Issue 59 Autumn 2014 £2.75
Awareness of county soars after Le Tour By Josh Timlin PUBLIC opinion and awareness of Yorkshire has rocketed after the county hosted the biggest Grand Depart in the history of the Tour de France. More than a third of the UK's population had their opinions on the destination positively changed thanks to the event, which happened on the first weekend of July. A post-Tour study, carried out by ResearchBods, showed that a quarter of the country now wants to visit the county, and that 75 per cent want Welcome to Yorkshire – the tourism agency responsible for the county's hosting of the event – to bid for more sporting events to be held there. Millions of sports fans, local residents and international visitors stood side by side as 197 of the world’s elite cyclists navigated their way through Yorkshire's rugged countryside and historic locations. Holme Moss – arguably the centrepiece of the two-day Grand Depart and the toughest climb at 1,709ft – was flooded with approximately 60,000 spectators, with many even camping out for two days before the race reached them. Welcome to Yorkshire’s official Tour
de France website generated massive traffic in the run-up to the event, seeing 2.5 million page views over the weekend itself. Visitors from 190 countries were recorded, further boosting the county's profile. Chief executive of Welcome to Yorkshire Gary Verity said: “The passion, the crowds and the support that Yorkshire demonstrated to the watching world were mind-blowing. “The economic benefit to the county is being conservatively estimated to be in excess of £100m, but it could well be more after we we all witnesses. “Whatever the final figure, it was the images of Yorkshire and its amazing landscapes being beamed around the world which will prove priceless in the months and years ahead for the county. “It is the start of a journey for Yorkshire, not the end of one. It was a game-changing event and we are only just scratching the surface of the enormous potential that the destination has.” What do you think? Would you like to see the UK hosting more large scale events – and how do you think they would help to boost tourism? Let us know by emailing our editorial team at ce@scriptmedia.co.uk
Families snap up cancelled holidays
Visitors to the Peak District and Derbyshire have been encouraged to take to two wheels and make the most of the area’s cycle routes. With almost 200 miles of traffic-free tracks and greenways in Derbyshire and over 70 miles of traffic free trails and routes in the Peak District National Park, the area’s tourist board claims there is plenty of scope for cycling fans to get on their bike amid some of Britain’s most beautiful countryside. Supporters of the Summer of Cycling initiative include triple gold medal winning Paralympic cyclist Anthony Kappes (pictured).
FAMILIES are making huge savings of up to 70 per cent by snapping up cancelled holidays. Park Holidays UK reports that sales made by its cancellations desk – open for just two hours a day – have rocketed since schools began breaking up. The 23-park company says it is able to offer discounts by not having to re-advertise the holidays. Because this year has seen the highest number of bookings in its 25-year history, director Tony Clish says there are many more cancellations available. He added: “There will always be people who have to pull out of their plans at the last minute, and we immediately mark their holidays down by half price or less. “There are no catches, but starting dates are often a week or less away, and customers have to choose from what is available rather than specify preferences. But if they are prepared to be flexible, the savings can be very substantial indeed.” Examples of savings include a week's stay for six at Waterside Park in Paignton, Devon, which was booked originally for £406 and re-sold as a cancellation for £129 – a 69 per cent saving.