I CONTINUE to be amazed by readers' letters condemning Royal Ascot in York. There is a view that only hoteliers and businesses will benefit from this unique event. Consider the bigger picture.

York acts as the hub of a bicycle wheel with tourism benefits filtering throughout Yorkshire to enhance and improve the whole community.

It is shallow to suggest hoteliers are simply profiteers because they plough profits back into the city as one of the largest employment sectors in York, and have great purchasing power to support York businesses.

It would appear some residents would prefer the city to be unsuccessful so they can keep it to themselves. If that were the case there would be a decline in inward investment, businesses would not choose to relocate here and the quality of the total York experience would cease to be attractive for retail and other outlets.

York will be put on the map worldwide during Royal Ascot week and will showcase the whole of Yorkshire at the same time.

The city and racecourse worked hard to attract this famous race meeting to York, beating off competition from racecourses throughout Britain and Paris. I am sure they must be fed up reading the whine of the York "Nimbys" day after day.

For the good of the city, everyone should embrace this unique chance to showcase the city with the finery and pageantry of a royal occasion.

June Nelsey,

Chairman, York Hoteliers Group, and manager Best Western Monkbar Hotel,

St Maurice's Road, York.

Updated: 09:36 Wednesday, March 16, 2005