ILKLEY MP Kris Hopkins has met with businesses in the town and visited a number of local attractions to promote tourism in the area.

The visits come ahead of English Tourism Week March 25 to April 2 which highlights the value of tourism. In Yorkshire, tourism generates £6bn per annum and employs over 113,000 people.

Mr Hopkins said: “Tourism is an essential part of the constituency from visitors to the Cow and Calf in Ilkley to the Steam Railway and Bronte Parsonage in Haworth. Visitor numbers have seen an increase, particularly following the successful Tour de France and the legacy of that with the Tour de Yorkshire.

“National Tourism week is an opportunity to promote our local businesses who rely on tourism, such as our museums, cafes and of course important events such as the Carnival.”

Ilkley businesses he met with included Clip N’ Climb and the River Café at the Bandstand.

Sally Shelton, the newly appointed manager at Clip ‘n Climb Ilkley said: "Tourism is a vital part of our business, we are easily accessible to visitors by train and car and provide a stimulating and challenging environment for children and adults alike. Visitors know they can spend a couple of hours with us regardless of the weather and enjoy a drink in our 5-star rated café.”

The MP also dropped in to see Alex Samuel at the Ilkley Toy Museum. The private collection creates a trip down memory lane for many of its visitors, with dolls, dolls houses, teddy bears, tin plate toys, lead figures and a selection of games together with wooden and paper toys.

White Wells at the top of Ilkley has had a bath since 1703 and was instrumental in establishing Ilkley as a spa town and Mr Hopkins also met with Mr and Mrs Hunnebell, who run the cafe and the site.

Mark Hunnebell said: “The busiest time for the baths is on New Year’s day when we often have people queuing to experience the coldness of the waters, to stimulate circulation.”

Mr Hopkins added: “The fantastic views and the history of the site, make it a very interesting place to visit, and of course to enjoy a cup of tea after the climb up.”

The Tour de Yorkshire is now a major event in the Yorkshire calendar and this year it will be passing through Ilkley and Addingham on April 30.

Catherine Coates, chairwoman of Addingham Parish Council, met with Kris to promote the event with Richard Hunter Rowe.

Cllr Coates said: “The residents of Addingham are delighted to be welcoming the Tour de Yorkshire, the memories of the Tour de France coming through and making their way down from Bolton Abbey, put Addingham clearly on the national map together with our excellent hospitality. Tourism week is a great way to remind people both locally and further afield of these events”.

Suzanne Watson is managing director of Approach PR. Her team has managed the PR and social media for Ilkley Carnival since 2011 which has seen visitor numbers and support increase over the last five years.

She said: "Ilkley has a real sense of individuality, a lot of which comes from the nature of its retailers, restaurants and businesses. It’s a town which embraces and reflects all that English Tourism Week represents - a diverse offering, history, individuality and the ability to evolve. Ilkley has retained its charm while expanding its offering with a vibrant coffee offer, a craft beer culture and independent retailers offering everything from shoes and womenswear to interiors and furniture.

“The sense of community and belonging doesn't just exist among the town's residents - it's also evident among the businesses and is a huge part of the town’s appeal for visiting tourists. Through awareness raising and engagement we’ve been delighted to cultivate the involvement of so many local organisations into the town's annual carnival which attracts thousands in from outside of the area and has become one of the most significant outdoor events of the year.”