Yorkshire Tourist Board (YTB) was quick off the mark offering the world famous Yorkshire welcome to Barack Obama on his announcement as the new President of the United States. A hamper showcasing Yorkshire was sent on its journey from the YTB headquarters in York to the White House by Gary Verity, Chief Executive, Yorkshire Tourist Board.

It�s not your traditional hamper � the Yorkshire Hamper will give Barack Obama a flavour of Yorkshire�s tourism, heritage, culture and sporting associations. Put together with contributions from YTB�s tourism partners, regional contacts and donations from some of Yorkshire�s top ambassadors the hamper will certainly help Barack Obama chill after months of election fever.

New in post himself, Gary Verity, Chief Executive, YTB said: �It�s simple but effective. The best of Yorkshire in a box showcasing the different facets of Yorkshire to the world and spreading the word to the people that are listened to that Yorkshire is the number one visitor destination and a real force to be reckoned with.

�Within the hamper there is a personal invitation to Barack and his family to come and visit Yorkshire as a guest of Yorkshire Tourist Board and see the wonderful diversity our region has to offer for himself.

�We have created a range of bespoke hampers which we will use to target world leaders, key influencers and trendsetters to shout loud and proud �Yorkshire!' over the coming months.�

The Yorkshire tourism industry is a significant sector in the region contributing to the employment of 243,500 people and worth �6.1 billion annually. The Yorkshire Hamper will help spread this message with the help of some tempting Yorkshire treats and raise the profile of the region and its assets worldwide.

This is the first of many new initiatives being employed by YTB to promote a new face for Yorkshire�s tourism industry.

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Editors� Notes:

1. YTB is the official tourism agency for Yorkshire and the Humber region. It exists to represent and help generate sustainable business for the region's tourism industry, an industry responsible for over 243,500 jobs and worth in excess of �6.1bn to the region annually. 2. YTB is supported by Yorkshire Forward, the Regional Development Agency charged with improving the Yorkshire and Humber economy.

Jo Pickering | Communications Manager T: 01904 773363 F: 01904 701414 Email: jpickering@ytb.org.uk

Enhancing the profile and tourist potential of 2012 on the Yorkshire tourism industry