Arts festival to celebrate Tour de France nets £10m for Yorkshire's economy

The 100-day Yorkshire Festival, organised by Welcome to Yorkshire, generated almost £10m for the county's economy.

The arts festival in Yorkshire to mark the start of the Tour de France in 2014 generated almost £10m for the county’s economy, according to an independent report.

The report by marketing firm &Co said the event attracted more than 800,000 visitors in the 100 days that it ran, starting in March.

The festival included neon-lit cyclists riding in a ‘Ghost Peloton’, as seen in the video above, with over 18,000 people performing or participating in the festival overall.

Welcome to Yorkshire, who organised the £2m festival, now plan to host a festival every two years from 2016.

Gary Verity, chief executive of Welcome to Yorkshire, said: “Yorkshire Festival shone a spotlight on Yorkshire, creating an exceptional summer for people in readiness for the grandest ever Grand Départ.

“The success of the festival shows the exceptional artistic talent we have in this county and what we have to offer the world.”

Source: BBC

Yorkshire’s Tour of beauty

God’s own county hosts a Tour de France Grand Départ to remember

Tour de Yorkshire: what we know

CW takes a closer look at the new, three-day stage race that will take place on these shores in May

Bernard Hinault claims Lance Armstrong has become stain on 'glorious cycling memories'

Five-time Tour de France winner Bernard Hinault says he wouldn't talk to Lance Armstrong if presented with the opportunity.

Thank you for reading 20 articles this month* Join now for unlimited access

Enjoy your first month for just £1 / $1 / €1

*Read 5 free articles per month without a subscription

Join now for unlimited access

Try first month for just £1 / $1 / €1

Stuart Clarke is a News Associates trained journalist who has worked for the likes of the British Olympic Associate, British Rowing and the England and Wales Cricket Board, and of course Cycling Weekly. His work at Cycling Weekly has focused upon professional racing, following the World Tour races and its characters.