Tour de Yorkshire boosted economy by £60 million when it passed through Doncaster

The Tour de Yorkshire 2016 boosted the economy by nearly £60 million, independent research has shown.
A bunch sprint to the men's race where Team Sky rider Danny Van Poppel came over the line first after a photo finish. Tour de Yorkshire - Stage 2 between Otley and Doncaster. Saturday 30th April 2016. Picture: Chris EtchellsA bunch sprint to the men's race where Team Sky rider Danny Van Poppel came over the line first after a photo finish. Tour de Yorkshire - Stage 2 between Otley and Doncaster. Saturday 30th April 2016. Picture: Chris Etchells
A bunch sprint to the men's race where Team Sky rider Danny Van Poppel came over the line first after a photo finish. Tour de Yorkshire - Stage 2 between Otley and Doncaster. Saturday 30th April 2016. Picture: Chris Etchells

The race weekend, which took place from April 29 to May 1, saw more than two million spectators line the route and spend 20 per cent more than last year’s event.

Spend on accommodation spend was up 27.8 per cent year on year, and non-accommodation items such as food and drink, souvenirs and transport was up by 12.4 per cent.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

The race, which passed through many Doncaster town’s and villages, was also televised in 178 countries and watched by 11.4 million global TV viewers.

Sir Gary Verity, Chief Executive of Welcome to Yorkshire, said: “This is tremendous news for Yorkshire and the statistics speak for themselves, the public support for the Tour de Yorkshire is overwhelming.

“Even in the face of some not so welcoming weather, these statistics show that the Tour de Yorkshire is rapidly going from strength to strength.

“This confirms that the people of Yorkshire have really taken the Tour de Yorkshire to their hearts and already we can’t wait for next year.”

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

The economic impact study carried out by Leeds Beckett University, showed that the majority of spectators were from Yorkshire, (79 per cent), while 21 per cent were from elsewhere in the UK and abroad.

A small number of 2017 start and finish locations have already been confirmed with Fox Valley in Sheffield, Halifax, Harrogate and Selby announced as hosts.