Official: We’re Europe’s top travel destination

The region’s stunning countryside and coastline and vibrant cities were among the attractions that earned it the title of Leading European Destination at the World Travel Awards.

Leeds-based tourism organisation Welcome to Yorkshire also brought home the prize for Best Marketing Campaign for the second time from the ceremony in Antalya, Turkey.

Chief executive Gary Verity said: “It’s fantastic to see Yorkshire taking its rightful place as one of the top holiday destinations in Europe.

“It’s a real validation of both Welcome to Yorkshire’s work and the efforts of the thousands of attractions, restaurants, accommodation providers and other tourism businesses which make this county great.”

Yorkshire’s title is yet another coup for the region, which is already braced for a tourism boost when it hosts the opening stages of the Tour de France next year.

“News of this award comes off the back of a fantastic year already for Yorkshire and the growing excitement about Yorkshire’s hosting of the 2014 Grand Depart,” said Mr Verity, who led the bid to bring the cycling race to the region.

“This is one of the biggest awards in international tourism, and I’m very proud to see Yorkshire at the top.”