Mayor of West Yorkshire, Tracy Brabin, Bradford 2025 UK City of Culture and Airbnb recently came together to celebrate the impact of UK City of Culture 2025 on Bradford and West Yorkshire’s tourism sector.

Alongside a group of senior political leaders, tourism partners and businesses, the Mayor discussed the future of tourism as a driver of long-term growth and cultural vitality for the region.

Bradford 2025 has spurred local economic growth and increased tourism in both the city and West Yorkshire region. Bradford 2025 attracted an estimated 1.1million participants at events by its midway point, with figures showing a 150% increase in visitors to Impressions Gallery and a 44% increase at Cartwright Hall. The programme is predicted to generate an additional £136.9m in visitor spend to the local economy. This rise reflects growing visitor demand for cultural events and wider growth in West Yorkshire, indicating Bradford’s lasting appeal. Visitor activity linked to stays booked through Airbnb has contributed to an estimated £12.9 million in direct economic impact to the region.

The partnership of Bradford 2025 and Airbnb is closely aligned with work from the West Yorkshire Local Visitor Economy Partnership (LVEP), Chaired by Mayor Brabin, it is focussed on the common aim to maximise the region’s tourism potential across Leeds, Calderdale, Kirklees, Bradford, and Wakefield. West Yorkshire welcomed 73 million visitors in 2024, a 3% increase on the previous year, with spend in the local economy rising by 7.8% to £6.26 billion. The tourism and hospitality sector supports 54,000 jobs for local people, up by 2.6%.