Wakefield visitor spend up as overnight stays rise
Monday, July 06, 2026
Visitors to the Wakefield district in 2025 helped contribute £889.4 million to the local economy, an increase of 4.5% on the previous year.
The district welcomed 11 million visitors and saw a rise in overnight stays, which grew by 4.3%. The spend of overnight visitors increased by 10.3%.
“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.”
Cllr Lukasz Borcz
Cabinet Member for Culture and Sport
The latest figures highlight Wakefield’s strong cultural offer, with increasing numbers visiting the district’s 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 unique identity and creative strengths.
While day visitors still account for around 91% of all trips, the increase in staying visitors shows positive progress towards building a higher-value, more sustainable visitor economy.
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 partnership with local tourism organisations and regional partners, 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.
With continued investment, strong partnerships and a clear long-term vision, Wakefield is well placed to build on its success and grow a more resilient, year-round visitor economy.
For full details of upcoming events, exhibitions and visitor experiences, go to www.experiencewakefield.co.uk
All figures are from STEAM – Scarborough Tourism Economic Activity Monitor.