The report, by Manchester Airport and accountancy giant Deloitte, also reveals most business visitors come to the region from America, Germany and Ireland. The survey aimed to assess the habits of business travellers using Manchester Airport.

Nearly 300 interviews were conducted for the study, which found 62 per cent of those arriving in Manchester visit companies in the north west, with 20 per cent heading to Yorkshire.It found 22 per cent of those questioned were visiting manufacturing companies, with 16 per cent in the technology, media and telecoms sector.

Other leading industries were energy and resources and consumer business, both at 12 per cent. Deloitte’s Jo Ahmed, who led the research, said: "As well as confirming what we knew about the strength of the north west’s manufacturing sector, this survey also backs up the evidence suggesting that the region is nurturing an increasingly significant reputation in TMT.

Source: MEN