The cycle race is expected to bring extra business to the district’s hospitality, leisure and retail industries as people travel to watch Stage Three begin in Bradford on Sunday.

Val Summerscales, Secretary of Bradford Chamber of Trade, said she had high hopes for the weekend. She said: “There will be a lot of activity with the race and we’re expecting to see a boost in trade, it’s very prestigious that Bradford has been chosen for the event and we’re delighted.”

Her comments came as new research was published today by Barclays Bank showing that Yorkshire’s hospitality and leisure industries could be in for a bumper year, with events like this weekend’s race helping to attract visitors.

The research showed that a third of Yorkshire’s holidaymakers say that they would now choose a staycation over an international holiday, even if time and finances allowed - a figure that is matched at a national level.

Tony Walsh, managing director for Barclays Corporate Northern Region said: “Yorkshire is well placed to benefit from a booming year for British staycations and with many holidaymakers now choosing to stay close to home the importance of marketing local attractions and investing in new technologies and experiences to drive footfall is clear. The lower price of the pound could also bring more international holidaymakers to Yorkshire as the UK becomes a more affordable prospect for foreign visitors.”

Sir Gary Verity, Chief Executive of Welcome to Yorkshire said: “”Last year more than two million spectators lined the route, and the race was televised in 178 countries and watched by 11.4 million viewers across the world. It shows everyone that Yorkshire really is a first-class holiday destination. It’s no surprise that so many Yorkshire people want to stay in our fantastic county as it has so much to offer holidaymakers from near and far. It’s the perfect getaway, combining stunning landscape and coastline with the buzz of thriving cities.”