2018 Tour De Yorkshire Creates Record $130M Economic Boost

The 2018 Tour de Yorkshire boosted the county’s economy by £98M ($130M), newly released independent research found, according to Nick Hill of BDAILY. A record 2.6 million spectators lined the route from May 3-6 and overall spend rose by 54% compared to '17. Accommodation spend also increased 49% year-on-year and "non-accommodation items such as food and drink, souvenirs and transport" generated a 58% increase. The race was televised in 190 countries and watched by 12.5 million global TV viewers, which represents a 29% increase on '17. The economic impact study, conducted by independent research company GRASP and compiled by Leeds Beckett University, showed that "the majority of roadside spectators were from Yorkshire (79%)," while 21% were from elsewhere in the U.K. and abroad (BDAILY, 7/10).