Salford’s tourism sector has surpassed the £1bn mark for the second year in a row, with a record £1.1bn generated last year.
The latest Scarborough Tourism Economic Activity Monitor report estimates the city’s visitor economy has grown by more than 50% since 2019.
Salford welcomed more than 8 million visitors last year, directly supporting almost 10,000 jobs.
The visitor economy is now comparable in scale to many of the UK’s most established heritage and visitor destinations, including places such as Bath, Cambridge and Chester and sits closely to cities like York and Oxford, widely recognised as some of the UK’s leading tourism hotspots.
As Salford marks its centenary year with a programme of events celebrating the city’s history, culture and sporting heritage, the council said the figures reflected its transformation over the past 100 years.
The figures tell the story of a city that has reinvented itself over the last century,” a council spokesperson said. “From the waterfront destination of Media City and Salford Quays to The Lowry, RHS Garden Bridgewater, major events, independent food and drink businesses and hospitality offer, Salford’s visitor economy has grown by more than 50% since 2019.”
The growth of Salford’s tourism sector comes as Greater Manchester’s visitor economy reaches a record £13.5bn.
A Salford Council spokesperson added: “Salford continues to play an increasingly important role in the city-region’s success, accounting for almost one in every £12 generated by GM’s visitor economy, helping to attract visitors, support businesses and create employment opportunities across the local economy.
Councillor Hannah Robinson-Smith, Lead Member for Culture, Heritage, Sports and Leisure at Salford City Council, said: “The latest figures are about much more than visitor numbers.
“They show how Salford’s continued investment in culture, heritage, sport, green spaces and major events is delivering our city’s long-term ambitions of creating jobs, attracting investment and supporting growth that benefits local people and communities.
“A century after becoming a city, we are now welcoming millions of visitors each year and generating a £1.1 billion visitor economy.
“From the iconic waterfront at Media City and Salford Quays to our world-class cultural attractions, sporting venues, heritage assets, events programme and thriving hospitality sector, Salford’s visitor economy plays a vital role in creating opportunities for our communities across the city and helping local businesses to invest, grow and thrive.”
