A NEW report shows that tourism in the district is thriving.

The industry was last year worth around £680.6 million to Bradford district, an increase of four per cent compared to 2016.

Overnight stays by visitors from abroad rose by ten per cent.

Around 11.8 million tourist day trips were made to the district, up two per cent on the previous year.

And the number of people employed in the industry also rose, by more than 1,000, to just over 14,500.

The findings of the Cambridge Report are welcomed, but it is claimed they also show the importance of having a visitor information centre in Haworth – a top tourism ‘honeypot’.

The Main Street centre is scheduled to close in January due to Bradford Council cuts.

Worth Valley district councillor, Rebecca Poulsen, said: “I welcome the fact visitors to this area are increasing and that the money they’re putting into our economy is also rising.

“This is great news, particularly in the Worth Valley, with the village of Haworth that Bradford Council calls the ‘jewel in the crown’.

“What is not welcomed is Bradford Council targeting our tourism in Haworth, first by stopping the funding for the public toilets and now by planning to close the visitor information centre.

“Tourism is clearly a growth area that brings in revenue and supports jobs, yet time after time the council withdraws its support to this area.

“Whilst the lesser-used visitor information centre in Bradford stays open, the popular and busy Haworth centre is being closed.

“Businesses that rely on tourism are extremely worried about this and what facilities there will be to welcome visitors. Funding should go where the visitors are and not always into the city centre.”

Bradford Council said Ilkley’s visitor information centre had continued with town council funding and the Saltaire facility had been moved into the village’s Victoria Hall, but despite people’s best efforts it hadn’t been possible to save the Haworth provision.

“It’s not always straightforward or viable to transfer services as the Government pulls its funding,” said Cllr Sarah Ferriby, executive member for healthy people and places.

“Due to the extreme Government cuts to our district, the council’s net budget in 2020 will be around half what it was in 2010.

“That’s why we’re trying to do things differently and make best use of our shrinking funds.”

Negotiations to keep the Haworth centre open by transferring it from Bradford Council to the Bronte Society ended without success.

And whilst Haworth, Cross Roads and Stanbury Parish Council opposed the closure, employment law had thwarted any prospect of it stepping in.

Chairman Cllr David Mahon said legislation known as TUPE dictated that even if the parish council set-up some kind of new tourist information point in the village, it would not be allowed to employ anyone to staff the facility.

“We’ve argued against losing the centre but the money isn’t there – Bradford Council has gone over its budget,” he added.