TOURISM in Lancashire is worth more than £1billion to the local economy, according to figures released today.
Almost 40,000 businesses and people are also dependent on the industry according to research by the North West Tourist Board.
The figures are included in a report called the Lancashire Tourism Monitor, which will be published every quarter.
The findings show that in 1999 21 million nights were spent by overnight visitors in the county and that 45 per cent of all tourism expenditure in the North West was in Lancashire.
"The findings of this report demonstrate that tourism is the lifeblood of the Lancashire economy," said Anthony Goldstone, chairman of the Lancashire Tourism Partnership.
"It is important that business and commerce appreciate the value of tourism. It is a major employer and without it the quality of life in Lancashire would suffer. Tourism is a creator of new jobs but only if it receives the continued support of all employers."
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