TOURISM supports more than 13,500 jobs and is now worth an estimated £656 million a year to the Bradford district’s economy, a new report has claimed.

The findings by Bradford Council show an increase in year-on-year spending, driven by an increase in day trips and visits from overseas tourists.

Total spending by visitors is said to be up by ten per cent from 2015, with the number of tourism jobs up by four per cent.

An estimated 2.25million visitor nights were spent in the district in 2016 as well as approximately 11.6 million day trips.

Councillor Sarah Ferriby, the Council’s executive member for environment, sport, and culture, said: “These figures show our district is a great place for both UK and overseas visitors to spend their time and money.

“We’ve hosted some amazing events in the district in recent years including Bingley Music Live, the Bradford Festival, the Tour de France Grand Depart, the Tour de Yorkshire, and Illuminate Bradford, that have all brought visitors to the district and shown what we have to offer.

“The recent opening of new city centre bars and restaurants, especially those in the Sunbridge Wells development, has seen an increase in visitors to the city centre.

“We’ve some excellent museums and galleries showing world class exhibitions including the newly opened permanent Hockney Gallery at Cartwright Hall, and our venues including the much loved Alhambra Theatre, put on spectacular shows and concerts."

Patricia Tillotson, visitor and business development manager at the Council, said: "It’s really positive that the visitor expenditure in the Bradford district continues to grow year-on-year, and that we are attracting more overseas visitors.

“Bradford was the first UNESCO City of Film and Saltaire is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, we are also the Curry Capital of Britain.

“We have lots of free attractions and museums including the excellent National Science and Media Museum and the fantastic rural landscape of the district, which is a paradise for walkers and cyclists.

“With more regeneration in the city centre and a programme of cultural and creative events taking place across the district including the British Science Festival, Bradford Literature Festival, events to celebrate the bicentenary of the birth of Emily Bronte, and Tour de Yorkshire, 2018 looks set to be another great year to visit Bradford.”