TOURISM businesses across Craven have seen a huge surge in visitors during the past year thanks to Yorkshire's Grand Depart of the Tour de France.

Figures from Visit England show the amount of money spent by visitors to Yorkshire is up by 45 per cent since last June, while the number of people visiting the county was up by a quarter, with the number of overnight visitors up 20 per cent.

A Visit England spokesman said numerous businesses across the district had reported a boost in visitor numbers since Le Tour.

Calvin Dow, of Castle Inn, Skipton, which was named Yorkshire Pub of the Year in 2014, said the Grand Depart had a positive impact on customer numbers.

"We are a damn sight busier than we were last year," said Calvin. "We are full almost every night and we seem to be getting a lot more visitors from America and Australia.

"We have also had customers from Japan and New Zealand, and I would hazard a guess it is down to the Tour de France."

Skipton Castle has also seen a rise in overseas holidaymakers.

Administrator, Sebastian Fattorini, said: "We have definitely seen a good increase in foreign visitors from countries such as America, Australia, Holland, Spain and Italy."

Sue Rudden, from Grassington's five-star Grassington House Hotel, said business was booming.

"Although we are a special event destination and 63 per cent of our business is from repeat bookings, we have noticed there are lot more cyclists about this year," she said.

Stephen Walker, business manager of Embsay and Bolton Abbey Steam Railway, said while English visitor numbers remained about the same, there had been a surge in foreign holidaymakers.

He added: "There are a lot of Swiss, Dutch and German number plates in our car park. We have had a good season so far and that is really pleasing."

Gill Venning, head of sales and marketing at the Coniston Hotel and Country Estate in Coniston Cold said the impact of the Grand Depart had been very positive.

"Our business has grown year on year and we are seeing a lot more cyclists, both groups and individuals."

Welcome to Yorkshire chief executive, Sir Gary Verity, said: “We are absolutely delighted to see the county and its businesses are reaping the rewards of Yorkshire’s Grand Depart.

“We knew once we showcased Yorkshire to the world, we would inspire potential visitors to come and see this beautiful county for themselves."

The race – held last July – passed through Skipton, Addingham, Silsden, Bolton Abbey, Cracoe, Threshfield, Kilnsey, Kettlewell and Buckden.

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