Tourism in Leicester and Leicestershire passed GBP1.4 billion last year from 30.71m tourists, new figures have revealed.
Further numbers found the accommodation sector has seen a 20% increase between 2007 and 2011 with its economic impact up to GBP302m.
Its Stay Play Explore short break campaign is expected to have generated more than 9,000 bednights with an extra 1,000 visitors going to the area from June to August this year.
“Leisure and tourism is Leicestershire’s second-largest growing industry and one that, in times of economic difficulty, can play a critical role in helping us to reinvigorate our local economy. As a former hotelier, I am particularly pleased to see the work being undertaken to promote our destination is bearing fruit in both terms of additional visitors to the city and county along with an increase in the average spend,” said Martin Traymor, chief executive of Leicestershire Chamber of Commerce.
Recent developments include the new Ramada Encore in the city centre.