Driving Summer Visits Through a Joined-Up Citywide Campaign Toolkit

Visit York has published a dedicated member toolkit to support its flagship summer campaign for 2026, Summer in York: Sunrise to Sunset, helping businesses across the city make the most of coordinated destination marketing activity.

Running from 1 May to 1 September 2026, the campaign encourages visitors to experience York throughout the full day, from morning exploring and family days out to evening experiences, food and drink, shopping, markets and overnight stays. Aimed at regional families and adult couples, the campaign is designed to inspire visitors to stay longer, spend more time in the city and consider booking an overnight break.

Developed to support Visit York members in aligning with the wider campaign, the toolkit provides ready-to-use campaign messaging, key themes, social media guidance, suggested copy and access to downloadable assets. Members can use the resources across their own websites, newsletters and social media channels to strengthen their seasonal marketing and connect their activity with the wider Visit York campaign.

The toolkit highlights key campaign messages including experiencing York from sunrise to sunset, making the most of long summer days, exploring the city’s green spaces, riverside walks, markets, museums and outdoor dining, and planning an easy visit using York Park & Ride. It also encourages visitors to explore the Visit York Pass, summer events, special offers and bookable experiences.

Members are encouraged to support the campaign by sharing Visit York summer content, using #SummerInYork, tagging Visit York and relevant partners, promoting summer events and offers, sharing strong seasonal visuals, and submitting relevant events, prizes or content for potential promotion. Campaign assets, including social media graphics, photography, video content, posters, branding and logos, are available to download from the Air board: https://app.air.inc/a/bfddc1d2f

The campaign style focuses on bright, warm and summery visuals, using yellows, golds, greens and clear blues to reflect York’s appeal during the summer months. Members are also encouraged to use high-quality imagery and video, add ALT text for accessibility, credit photographers and partners where required, and showcase real visitor moments across outdoor spaces, attractions, food and golden-hour scenes.

By providing members with practical tools and consistent campaign messaging, Visit York is supporting a joined-up approach to summer promotion across the city. The Sunrise to Sunset toolkit strengthens York’s seasonal visitor offer, helps members amplify their own activity, and supports the wider ambition to encourage longer stays, increased bookings and greater engagement across York’s visitor economy.