WEST Yorkshire businesses are on course to earn almost £108m from international visitors this year.

The windfall is suggested in figures compiled for the annual British Travel Trade Fair (BTTF).

The two-day event at the National Exhibition Centre, Birmingham, starts on March 2.

Latest official figures show the county made £101m from overseas business and leisure travellers in 2003.

That could rise by £6.8m in 2005 if West Yorkshire manages to achieve the growth rates predicted for the UK as a whole.

VisitBritain, the organisation behind the fair, has forecast the country as a whole will see a 9.7% increase in the number of overseas visits to Britain.

That is expected to lead to an increase in tourism earnings across the country.

Tom Wright, chief executive of VisitBritain, said: "The prospects for the year ahead are looking very positive with all regions of Britain set to benefit.

"As VisitBritain continues to exploit the potential of new and emerging markets, and with the signing last month of Approved Destination Status with China, BTTF will be a key opportunity for us to showcase the jewels of British tourism to the rest of the world."

Government Travel Trends statistics show West Yorkshire welcomed 324,000 visitors in 2003.

An additional 31,000 are expected this year.