District’s visitor spending climbs as overnight stays rise
Visitors to the Wakefield district in 2025 helped contribute £889.4m to the local economy, an increase of 4.5 per cent on the previous year.
According to the latest figures released by Wakefield Council, the district welcomed 11 million visitors and saw a rise in overnight stays, which grew by 4.3 per cent. The spend of overnight visitors increased by 10.3 per cent.
The council said these figures highlight Wakefield’s strong cultural offer, with increasing numbers visiting its galleries, heritage sites and sports venues.
Major events such as Wakefield Rhubarb Festival and Pontefract Liquorice Festival continue to attract significant audiences, boosting the local economy and showcasing the district’s identity and creative strengths.
Councillor Lukasz Borcz, cabinet member for culture and sport, said: “These figures show the growing importance of tourism to Wakefield, with more visitors staying longer and spending more in our district, which helps to support local businesses, jobs and communities.
“We’re now focused on building on this success and strengthening our position as a leading cultural destination.”
While day visitors still account for around 91 per cent of all trips, the council adds that the increase in staying visitors shows positive progress towards building a higher-value, more sustainable visitor economy.
It says the findings reflect the ambitions of the Wakefield District Destination Management Plan (2024–2029), which is focused on sustainable growth, extending visitor stays, and strengthening the district’s cultural and creative offer.
Looking ahead, Wakefield Council, in collaboration with local tourism organisations and regional partners, says it will focus on unlocking further growth by attracting more staying visitors, converting day trips into short breaks, and developing new bookable experiences.
There are also significant opportunities coming up, with 2027 set to be a landmark year for culture in Wakefield, including the 50th anniversary of Yorkshire Sculpture Park and the return of Yorkshire Sculpture International, both expected to attract national and international attention and further boost the visitor economy.
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