Tourism boost expected as Hull is named UK City of Culture 2017
Tourism opportunities in Hull are expected to be boosted after it was named as the UK's City of Culture 2017 this morning.
The accolade is great news for the city, having frequently appeared on lists of the worst places to live in Britain.
Following a gruelling year of campaigning, Hull beat off competition from the three other shortlisted cities of Swansea Bay, Leicester and Dundee, and was confirmed as the next City of Culture in a statement by Culture Secretary Maria Miller.
Visitors are now expected to flock to the city - boosting the economy by £60m - from across the UK and beyond during what is promised to be a "spectacular" programme of events during 2017.
Inspired by the poem Days by Philip Larkin, who made the city his home as librarian at the University of Hull, the ambition is that each day of Hull 2017 will make a difference to a life in the city, the UK and the world.
Hull's 2017 programme will include an opening ceremony involving ‘rivers' of light, people and sound flowing into the city involving 3,000 volunteers; 12 artists' residencies; 25 festivals; and a total of 1,500 special events.
Councillor Stephen Brady, leader of Hull City Council, said: "Winning the title today is a real game-changer for Hull. It will give Hull a platform to tell the world what this great city has to offer, transform perceptions and accelerate our journey to make Hull prime visitor destination. Hull should be proud of what it has achieved together."
James Berresford, chief executive of VisitEngland, welcomed today's news. "It is fantastic that Hull has been chosen as the UK City of Culture 2017. Hull is rich in maritime heritage. Its world-class aquarium, The Deep, won a gold award for accessibility in the 2011 VisitEngland Awards for Excellence, and the city is the gateway to Yorkshire and the North East for many European visitors.
"This cultural badge of honour is a tremendous opportunity for Hull to thrive as a tourist destination and attract important inward investment, and VisitEngland looks forward to helping with this. I wish Hull all the best in maximising the potential of the city's cultural heritage and look forward to the many celebrations and events to come as a result."
Liverpool to get £100m boost from Capital of Culture status >>
