Halton’s visitor economy has grown to more than £225 million after the borough welcomed over three million visitors during 2025.
The latest independent STEAM tourism research reveals that 3.08 million people visited Halton last year, an increase of 2.4% compared with 2024.
The economic value of tourism in the borough grew even faster, rising by 4.9% to £225.4 million, while the number of jobs supported by the visitor economy increased by 4.7% to 2,165.
The figures represent another positive year for Halton and highlight the growing contribution tourism makes to businesses, employment and communities across the borough.
Of the 3.08 million visitors recorded during 2025, around 2.74 million were day visitors, up 2.4%, while the number of staying visitors increased by 2% to approximately 340,000.
The rate of visitor economy growth has also accelerated from 3% in 2024 to 4.9% in 2025, while staying visitor numbers have recovered from a 0.4% decline the previous year.
Cllr Eddie Dourley, Halton’s Deputy Leader and portfolio holder for Tourism, said:
“These results are excellent, representing another positive year for Halton and underlining the important contribution visitors make to the borough’s economy.
“These improved figures provide a strong platform to continue encouraging people to discover more of the borough, explore its many attractions and experiences, and turn a day visit into a longer stay.”
Halton is home to a varied mix of heritage, culture, science and outdoor attractions spread across Runcorn, Widnes and the surrounding villages.
Visitors can discover more than 900 years of history at Norton Priory Museum & Gardens, enjoy hands-on experiences at Catalyst Science Discovery Centre or explore the industrial heritage and waterside landscape of Spike Island.
The borough’s waterways also offer opportunities to explore the historic Bridgewater Canal, while visitors can enjoy views across the River Mersey and the Mersey Gateway.
Elsewhere, people can follow in the footsteps of Lewis Carroll around Daresbury, discover the story of the Childe of Hale and walk towards Hale Lighthouse, explore Runcorn Old Town and Halton Castle, or enjoy the borough’s parks and green spaces.
Halton’s latest tourism figures form part of a wider record year for the Liverpool City Region visitor economy.
Across the City Region, the visitor economy reached a record £6.834 billion in 2025, with visitor numbers rising by 7.8% to more than 61.5 million.
Visitor spending increased by 9.3%, while tourism supported a total of 57,591 jobs across the Liverpool City Region.
The figures demonstrate the importance of tourism not only to Liverpool city centre, but also to destinations, attractions and businesses throughout the wider region.
More information about attractions, days out, walking and cycling, heritage and places to visit across the borough can be found through Visit Halton website.
READ MORE: Liverpool City Region visitor economy hits record £6.8bn as visitor numbers surge
