Winchester is basking in an unprecedented tourism boom which is bringing in a whopping £120 million a year.

Since 1996 the industry has grown by 21 per cent according to research commissioned by the city council.

At least 3,120 people in the district work in tourism-related businesses such as hotels and tourist attractions.

The survey by the Southern Tourist Board showed that visitors spent £99.7 million in 1998 with indirect spending adding another £20 million. Each visitor is spending more money as the 21 per cent rise was achieved with a three per cent increase in tourist numbers.

The tourists spent: £34 million on retail goods; £25 million on food; £24 million on accommodation; £11 million on transport; £5 million on attractions and entertainment.

The extra £20 million was spent by tourism workers and hotels/bed and breakfasts buying local produce.

The results have come despite the strength of the pound which makes Britain more expensive to foreigners.

The city council says the survey vindicates its policy of promoting the tourism industry.

Richard Coleman, chairman of the council's leisure, arts and community committee, said today: "We are some-times criticised by sections of the public as to how and where we spend their money. This report helps to show just what a positive impact our intervention in tourism has made on the local economy."

Clive Wyatt, head of tourism at the council, said today: "The results demonstrate just how important tourism is to the local economy. We are truly delighted with these figures. We have managed to achieve the economic benefits without any negative impact on the environment."

Among the events which have helped boost earnings are the Celebration of Literature in 1997, Winchester Festival which started last year, the annual Hat Fair, and the recent Farmers' Markets and Prutour cycle race.

Richard Vause, chairman of the Discover Winchester Group, said news-paper features about the city had been the equivalent of spending £3 million on advertising.

Converted for the new archive on 25 January 2001. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.