NEW ways are needed to boost the impact of day tripper tourists on Oxford's economy, it is claimed.

Jeremy Mogford, owner of the Old Bank Hotel and the Old Parsonage, said many tourists enjoyed the city's sights for free but spent relatively little.

Figures released this week show day trippers continue to make up the largest number of visitors by far, at more than 90 per cent in 2015.

But they spend almost seven times less than those who stay overnight.

Mr Mogford said: "In the summer in Oxford you can barely move in the city for the number of tourists around.

"They are walking around, taking in the views and attractions of the city but not spending any money."

According to a report published by Experience Oxfordshire, the number people who made day visits to the county in 2015 was 23,917,410, down slightly from the year before.

They spent £931.19m overall, up by three per cent. This amounts to an average of about £39 per person.

The number of people who stayed overnight was just 2,628,000 in 2015, slightly more than last year, yet they spent almost £690m – about £262 per person.

The comparatively low spend of day trippers has been partly blamed on a lack of low-budget accommodation, with tourism bosses keen to tempt more visitors to stay in hotels and bed and breakfasts.

Oxford City Council has approved plans for several hotels in recent years, including a Travelodge at Redbridge and a Premier Inn in Cowley.

But developers face huge competition for sites to build more accommodation on, alongside competing needs for housing and office space.

Craig Simmons, leader of the Green Party group, said the low spent of day tripper tourists was not a problem that could be 'solved overnight'.

But he said more could be done to persuade people to stay at the city's hotels, such as a greater focus on providing a vibrant nightlife and activities such as festive firework displays.

The city councillor said: "What we have got to do going forward is make sure there is enough lower-end accommodation.

"This is a historic issue in Oxford and it is partly because we do not have enough paid-for attractions.

"We also need to make sure there is more on offer at times like Christmas. I'm going to Stroud this year, for instance, where the council is putting on a fireworks display."

Hayley Beer-Gamage, chief executive of Experience Oxfordshire, said this week that the latest tourism figures were 'really positive'.

She added: "We remain committed to working hard to grow and develop Oxfordshire’s visitor economy."