TV’s Dr Amir Khan and multi-Gold-winning Paralympian Hannah Cockroft MBE, DL, have both been confirmed as hosts for this year’s Welcome to Yorkshire Y21 event. Virtually shining the spotlight on Yorkshire’s tourism industry, Y21 will be held on Tuesday 30th,10am to 11.30am, with a packed programme of Y21 online events also planned throughout Tuesday 30th and Wednesday 31st March.

Pre-COVID the Welcome to Yorkshire annual extravaganza was the largest onstage celebration of tourism in the UK. This year, due to Government restrictions it will be seen on screen.

Y21 will celebrate Yorkshire tourism, revealing plans for its future as lockdown lifts, and its Recovery Strategy to Reopen, Recover, Rebuild, as well as showcasing the county as a place to Visit, Live, Work and Study. There are lots of exciting projects to look forward to and to get involved with, as Welcome to Yorkshire continues to work with brilliant businesses, local authorities and amazing attractions to promote the county and maintain its international status as a world-class destination.

Welcome to Yorkshire’s James Mason said: “We are really looking forward to these two real Yorkshire icons hosting Y21. There’s lots to discuss and inform an online audience about, including what the future for tourism looks like, after a particularly turbulent year for all. There’ll be celebrity guests, inspirational speakers and information to benefit businesses. Working as Yorkshire Together to support and surge forward is of paramount importance, now more than ever, to a tourism industry which pre-pandemic was worth a staggering £9bn to the county’s economy and employed almost 225,000 people.“

Y21 – Tuesday 30th March - Day 1

10am – 11.30am - Y21 - Welcome to Yorkshire's Tourism Conference -
Hosted by Dr Amir Khan & Hannah Cockroft MBE - An insight into the new Welcome to Yorkshire strategy and a snapshot of planned activity for 2021.

Sessions to select:
12.15pm A Yorkshire Recovery for All
1.15pm A Digital Landscape for All
2.15pm Campaigns and Events for All
3.15pm Membership for All
4.15pm Q&A & Summary Session
6pm Yorkshire Quiz in Partnership with Yorkshire Cancer Research

Y21 – Wednesday 31st March – Day 2:
Getting the best out of your Welcome to Yorkshire membership.

Sessions to select:
8:45am TXGB
9:30am Yorkshire Cancer Research and getting involved in Tour de Walkshire
10:15am Email marketing platform - Force24
11am Digital and Social Marketing Top Tips
11:45am ECOEUS - How to save £100s on your business utilities costs
12:30pm Accessibility
1:15pm Marketing - SEO top tips
2pm TBC
2:45pm TBC
3:30pm Too Good To Go
4:15pm Vypr & Castle Howard
5pm TBC

Y21 is open to both Welcome to Yorkshire members and non-members. All who register for Y21 will be automatically entered into a prize draw to win a flight for 2 people at the Yorkshire Balloon Fiesta, York, in September, plus FREE entry to the event and parking. Please register now at www.yorkshire.com/Y21