The economic impact of the Tour de France on Keighley district “should not be underestimated” and could bring in ten times more than it costs to stage, it has been claimed.

The world-famous cycle race visits Yorkshire next summer, passing through Haworth, Keighley, Oxenhope, Silsden and Stanbury.

The UK leg, which includes two days in Yorkshire on July 5 and 6 and one in London, could bring in as much as £100 million, with a large chunk going to West Yorkshire.

At a meeting of Bradford Council on Tuesday, Keighley councillor Kaneez Akthar asked portfolio holder for tourism Susan Hinchliffe what the race’s financial impact would be on the area.

Coun Hinchliffe responded: “Its economic impact should not be underestimated, and it will deliver a major boost to the economy of Keighley and its surrounding areas.

“Evidence from the Olympic Torch Relay last year highlighted the massive appetite for major sporting occasions that we can tap into. Keighley town centre experienced approximately 20,000 visitors that day. The Tour de France is likely to bring many more.

“Data provided from the areas of the UK that staged parts of the event in 2007 suggest a 10:1 return on the investment made. An early estimate for the economic impact for 2014 is £100 million. As one of the three stages in 2014 will be in the capital, it is unrealistic to expect two thirds of a three-way split will come our way, however our region must expect to be part of an enormous economic opportunity.”

Bradford Council has already invested £335,000 securing the bid – made by tourism group Welcome To Yorkshire – and in its latest budget set aside £130,000 for associated events.

Coun Akthar said: “This is going to be huge for Keighley.

“It will be a major boost for the town. I’m over the moon it is coming here – it is going to put us on the world map.”

And it is not just the council preparing for the event. The Haworth Distinctiveness project is working on ways of using the race to promote Haworth as a tourist destination, and is already coming up with ideas to make the most of the international spotlight and promote the village beyond its existing world-famous links with the Bronte family.

Robin Jackson, Westfield Lodge manager and project member, said: “It is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity, and we all have to capitalise on what is going on.

“I am already taking bookings for the weekend, and as for the rest of the area, it should boost the economy. It is really the opportunity to maximise Haworth’s exposure.

“Businesses in the area should collectively or individually do something to make the most of the event. People don’t always realise what exactly we’ve got up here. We can use the race to draw people into the area and get them to stay here a bit longer than they normally would.”

Welcome To Yorkshire is holding a number of roadshows across the county, including one at Haworth on April 22, to suggest to businesses what they can do to make the most of next summer’s event. The Haworth roadshow runs from 2pm to 4pm at the Old Hall Inn, Sun Street. Visit Yorkshire.com to register.