Sharing insights on Culture and Tourism with Namyangju, Korea

The delegation from Namyangju City Council visit Leeds Civic Hall

The delegation hears about Leeds's plans for tourism and culture

The delegation visiting Leeds Art Gallery

Last week, Leeds City Council was delighted to welcome a delegation from the city of Namyangju, Korea, who are in the UK on a fact-finding mission to find out how UK cities approach culture and tourism strategy.

Namyangju is a city in South Korea with a population of over 730,000 as of 2021, famous for its historical and cultural heritage, including being the birthplace of several prominent Korean figures.

Cho Sungdae, Chairman of Namyangju City Council, who led the delegation, said ‘It was a really valuable experience for us to visit and hear about your city and its future plans.’

Here in Leeds, we are always happy to talk about our cultural and tourism policies, as well as our plans for the future.

Our most recent figures for tourism in 2023 show that it plays an increasingly pivotal role in our city's economic development:

• Attracting 31.68 million visitors in 2023 (highest figures since records began)

• Worth £2.7 billion in 2023 (up from £2.2 billion in 2022)

• Accounting for 10% of the Leeds economy, which is currently worth £36.3 billion

• Supporting 23,975 jobs (up from 21,500 jobs in 2019).

We are now working with the other West Yorkshire councils as a region to develop our offer yet further and improve the benefits that brings for local people.

The delegates were also fascinated to hear how culture is a central plank in our post-Covid recovery, and how our Leeds 2023 year of culture has been a catalyst for social engagement, creative sector recovery & local economic growth.

Leeds is currently undertaking a major refurbishment project for Leeds Town Hall. Plans are also in train to redevelop the iconic former flax mill Temple Mills as a new public facing facility for British Library North. The National Poetry Centre is working with the University of Leeds to breathe life back into a landmark heritage building – Trinity St David’s, opening up the Grade II listed building as a new public space by 2027.

The delegation also had the opportunity to visit Leeds Art Gallery and see Leed's stunning collection of historic and contemporary art works.

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