Tourism is now worth £2.4bn a year to the Greater Manchester area, according to figures from Marketing Manchester.

The annual report regarding tourism in Manchester, which has been published since 1999, shows that visitor numbers for 2004 increased by 2 per cent on the year before and has grown by 17 per cent since 1999.

The sector now employs 40,000 people full-time in the city, compared to 31,500 in 1999.

During 2004, the city attracted 770,000 foreign visitors. Andrew Stokes, chief executive of Marketing Manchester, said: “The findings are reflective of Manchester’s tourism product and overseas marketing activity.” Details: www.marketing-manchester.co.uk