Overseas visitors are choosing to spend more time and money in Yorkshire, according to the International Passenger Survey.

People who came to Yorkshire from abroad in the first quarter of 2011 spent more than 70 per cent more than in the same period in 2010.

New figures also show the money generated by overseas visitors holidaying in Yorkshire during peak summer months has almost doubled in two years.

In the summer (July – September) 2008 overseas visitor spend was £33 million, rising to £59 million in 2010, which is up from £43 million for the same period in 2009.

Welcome To Yorkshire which has received World Travel Awards for its marketing campaigns, has continued the push into key international markets. Last year there was a major increase in visitors from Asia, US, and European countries such as Spain, Italy, Germany and France.

Gary Verity, Welcome to Yorkshire chief executive, said: “Last year’s peak of the tourism season proved to be record breaking for Yorkshire. “We are consistently raising our game and following the positive start to 2011 we are hoping the momentum continues to give us another record breaking summer.

“This is a real boost to the local economy and a fantastic result for the county’s tourism industry.”