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Y21 Conference is an Online Hit

Kick-starting the county’s tourism resurgence the Y21 launch show was followed by a wealth of webinars and masterclasses aimed at assisting, informing, inspiring and supporting businesses in hospitality, travel and tourism to emerge from the most turbulent of years as successfully as possible. Y21 also highlighted the importance of tourism, and how businesses can effectively engage in positive steps related to investment, conservation, digitisation, infrastructure, research and the development of skills across the county.

Top Hosts & A Packed Programme Announced for Welcome...

TV’s Doctor Amir Khan and multi-Gold-winning Paralympian Hannah Cockroft MBE, have both been confirmed as hosts for this year’s Welcome to Yorkshire Y21 event. Y21 will be held on Tuesday 30th,10am to 11.30am, with a packed programme of Y21 online events also planned throughout Tuesday 30th and Wednesday 31st March.

Yorkshire Cancer Research Named Official Charity Par...

Welcome to Yorkshire has proudly partnered with Harrogate-based Yorkshire Cancer Research to amplify awareness of the independent charity’s pioneering research which is saving lives in the region.

March 2021 survey results into consumer sentiment fo...

Welcome to Yorkshire has worked in partnership with Vypr, an online intelligence platform, to understand the customer sentiment for tourism in a post-Covid world, following the clarity of the proposed route out of lockdown. The platform has tracked consumer sentiment for holidaying in Yorkshire post-Christmas 2020 and after the announcement of the roadmap out of restrictions.

Welcome to Yorkshire and LNER’s "Song for Yorkshire"...

The Welcome to Yorkshire and London North East Railway (LNER) competition to discover a new song to celebrate the county reveals its fab four finalists. Vote Now!

Welcome to Yorkshire Statement: Budget Provides a Po...

Following Chancellor of the Exchequer Rishi Sunak’s budget announcement, Welcome to Yorkshire’s Chief Executive James Mason said “Being presented with a long-term plan to assist the resurgence of tourism after a particularly turbulent year is a much-needed lifeline and a light at the end of the current lockdown tunnel.

Welcome to Yorkshire Statement

Following Prime Minister Boris Johnson’s announcement, outlining the plans for England’s roadmap out of lockdown, Welcome to Yorkshire Chief Executive James Mason said “There is much to consider especially after a particularly turbulent year for tourism.”

Yorkshire's Success in TripAdvisor 2021 Awards

Tripadvisor announced the winners of its annual Travellers’ Choice® Best of the Best Awards for Destinations. The awards reveal where travellers ventured in 2020, while travel was open, as well as where they dreamed of going while the pandemic kept them stuck at home.

Arco supports Welcome to Yorkshire

Walk This Way - Arco supports Welcome to Yorkshire, the not-for-profit destination marketing organisation championing Yorkshire tourism

We’re good to go new industry standard launched

Visit Britain are delighted to announce the launch of a UK-wide industry standard and consumer mark, in partnership with the national tourist organisations of Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales to provide a ‘ring of confidence’ for tourism as the sector works towards reopening.

Welcome to Yorkshire in 2021

As an esteemed voice for the South Asian Community in Yorkshire., Welcome to Yorkshire’s Vice Chairman Jas Athwal DL joins Fatimah Patel, editor of Asian Sunday News on their yellow sofa to talk about his 50 plus years in the county, his role at the organisation and some of our campaigns and hopes for the next twelve months.

Yorkshire Coast Set to Surprise Audiences with Year-...

Discover Yorkshire Coast, the tourism body for Scarborough Borough Council, has today announced an exciting new initiative designed to showcase the region as a year-round destination and change perceptions through the art of surprise.

Reopening date announced for "bigger and better" Sou...

South Yorkshire's National Emergency Services Museum (NESM) has announced plans to reopen its doors on Wednesday 19 May, saying visitors can look forward to an "even bigger and better" day out than before. The museum, based at West Bar in Sheffield, has been closed since November due to the coronavirus pandemic. Now it's preparing to welcome visitors back again and, says Chief Executive Matt Wakefield, a lot has changed in that time.

Kiplin Hall and Gardens wins prestigious award from...

The Collections Trust Award highlights the often-unsung achievements of those who manage the collections that lie at the heart of all museums. The award for 2020-21 ‘Celebrating Collections Management’ has been won by Kiplin Hall and Gardens for their work on the Annie Marchant Kitchen and Dairy Collection. As well as industry recognition the award also brings a cash prize of £1,000 for the museum.

Ponderosa Zoo will reopen with new Lemur Walkthrough...

Visitors can get up close and personal with the animals when Ponderosa Zoo reopens on 12th April, thanks to their new Lemur Walkthrough exhibit that gives visitors the opportunity to get an unrestricted view of these fascinating animals. The family-run tourist attraction, based in Heckmondwike, West Yorkshire, is home to over 140 animals, including their collection of lemurs who moved into a new purpose-built enclosure earlier this month. The build took place under lockdown three and as well as unprecedented access, it raises awareness of the conservation effort of their charity partners. The brand-new enclosure will house their Black and White Ruffled Lemurs, Ring-Tailed Lemurs, and Red-Fronted Lemurs. Transforming previously unused land within the zoo, the exhibit will provide ample space for their exotic animals to explore. Zookeeper Amy said “We have worked really hard throughout lockdown to get the new enclosure ready and are so excited to be reopening soon. We can’t wait for visitor to see these incredible animals in their amazing new space!” Ponderosa Zoo boasts an abundance of outdoor facilities, including a fun-packed outdoor adventure play area, lakeside beach – with its very own pirate ship, picnic and outdoor dining facilities. Whilst all outdoor areas will reopen on 12th April, the Bunny Barn and Reptile House will remain closed. Amy explained “We have taken every necessary precaution to ensure the zoo is safe for visitors, including installing hand wash stations, implementing one-way systems, enhanced cleaning procedures, and limiting capacity.” Ponderosa Zoo will reopen from 12th April, for those planning a trip, visitors are advised to pre-book their tickets via the website.

Experience two historic journeys in the heart of the...

Skipton Boat Trips, & Embsay & Bolton Abbey Steam Railway have joined together to offer you this wonderful nostalgic day out or spread your visit over multiple days! Maybe start your journey at Skipton Boat Trips where you’ll board our 59 -foot-long canal boat, Cobbydale, you’ll sail through beautiful countryside along the 18th century Leeds and Liverpool Canal. Our comfortable boat has all the facilities on board you could wish for, including a full bar with hot and cold drinks, central heating for those slightly nippy Yorkshire days, and full panoramic windows, allowing picturesque views of the areas you sail through. Accompanying you will be a guided commentary by comedian Dave Spikey, an informative and entertaining description of Skipton, the canals, and the local wildlife. From Skipton, you can then jump forward in time and visit the lovingly restored Victorian and Edwardian Embsay and Bolton Abbey Steam Railway. Departing from either Embsay or Bolton Abbey, you’ll travel in one of a number of vintage carriages of different eras and styles, with two time warp stations to explore at either end, each with little shops, cafes, and exhibitions. The journey is roughly 20 minutes each way, with as long as you choose to spend in between exploring. For those able, the mile and a half walk to the beautiful ruins of Bolton Abbey, next to the River Wharfe, is well worth the effort. https://www.canaltrips.co.uk/trips/rail-sail-skipton-ticket/

Tong Garden Centre appoints York business for leader...

A Bradford Garden Centre has invested to equip its team with leadership and management skills in preparation of an ambitious growth phase. The People and Culture team at Tong Garden Centre have partnered with Alex Firmin from York business, Promethean Executive to create a bespoke training programme for its future leaders and managers, focused on helping their leaders be ‘Great By Nature’.

Tong Garden Centre invests in a new Food Hall

A Bradford Garden Centre has invested a six-figure sum to transform its food hall. The former Food Hall at Tong Garden Centre has been rebranded ‘Hearty’s’ by Huddersfield branding and design specialists, Picture Smiths and features a new branded range of all Yorkshire products. Hearty’s now occupies a 425m2 space at the Tong Lane centre and is the result of a six month, £250,000 project to deliver a superior food hall shopping experience.

Yorkshire Wolds Way Film

Meet Jack and Mel, young explorers looking for fun and adventure who discover the joys and simple pleasures of the Yorkshire Wolds Way. Our couple star in the new promotional film for the Yorkshire Wolds Way, where they get to see some of the wonderful landscapes and places to visit along the trail.

North Yorkshire whisky distillery launches Cream Liq...

The team at Yorkshire’s first single malt whisky distillery have released their latest bottling. Hunmanby based Spirit of Yorkshire Distillery has launched a Cream Liqueur made from Yorkshire single malt whisky, single malt spirit and dairy cream.

Wold Top launches a range of limited edition beers

The team at Wold Top brewery has launched a range of limited edition beers for people to enjoy at home. Each month, Wold Top brews a different Viking inspired beer that is available exclusively online and as part of its monthly bottled beer subscription offer. The third of the Wold Newton based brewery’s limited edition bottlings in the 2021 Vikings series is Thor.

Rishi Sunak shares the joy with a lockdown ‘exhibiti...

A new exhibition ‘Introducing the Annie Marchant Kitchen and Dairy Collection’ was due to open along with the rest of the hall on Friday 5th March, with a VIP launch event the day before. Although the grand opening could not go ahead due to the lockdown, staff were determined to share their celebrations, giving the new collection the welcome it deserves. In order to celebrate virtually a short film has been made about the making of the exhibition. It features The Rt Hon Rishi Sunak, MP for Richmond (Yorks) and Chancellor of the Exchequer, officially opening the exhibition, which will be ready to receive visitors as soon as lockdown restrictions allow. In the film Mr. Sunak speaks of his affection for Kiplin Hall & Gardens, a place he visits with his family, and congratulates the staff and volunteers at Kiplin for their efforts to bring the project to fruition under lockdown conditions.