North East England leads the way with access and inclusion
Visitors heading to the region can now feel safe, welcomed and included before they arrive thanks to a ground breaking, interactive 3D photography and pioneering inclusivity training designed to break down barriers to access for everyone. Destination North East England, England’s first Destination Development Partnership Pilot has commissioned and...
Jen Hartley receives MBE in honours list
Jen Hartley, Director of Invest Newcastle at NewcastleGateshead Initiative (NGI), has been recognised in the King’s Birthday Honours List 2024 with an MBE. She has been awarded by His Majesty the King for the honour of Member of the Order for the British Empire for services to Business and...
Tourism businesses to become Proud Allies this Pride Month
North East hospitality and tourism businesses are being encouraged to take part in training to ensure visitors from the LGBTQIA+ community get a warm and inclusive welcome. Those working in tourism businesses across Northumberland, North Tyneside, South Tyneside, Newcastle, Gateshead, Sunderland and County Durham can reinforce and enhance the...
HITS Expo 2024 delivers a dynamic showcase of the North East’s food and drink, hospitality and tourism industries
Showing an appetite for growth, innovation and collaboration in the North East, the HITS Expo 2024 highlighted the vital roles the food and drink, hospitality, tourism and supply chain sectors play in forging the North East’s identity and offer, as well as providing opportunities for businesses to make valuable...
Thousands of nature activities completed by primary school children at WWT Washington Wetland Centre
WWT’s award-winning project engages children from underrepresented communities using stories to help them connect with nature. Through Generation Wild, a project spearheaded by WWT, the charity for wetlands and wildlife, 16,824 nature activities have been completed by children who traditionally have fewer opportunities to make meaningful connections with nature...
Join INNSiDE Newcastle for a FREE guided ‘reconnection’ evening walk in the Derwent Valley
INNSiDE by Meliá, part of Meliá Hotels International, has launched INNSiDER Wellness – a three day wellness event taking place across INNSiDE UK hotels; Newcastle, Manchester and Liverpool, during Summer Solstice. As the sun appears at its highest elevation, INNSiDE UK will host a guided reconnection and wellbeing walk for...
Region’s visitor numbers on the rise as more people come to experience North East England
The newly released STEAM data sees visitor numbers and spend grow across the region as the visitor economy continues to recover to pre-pandemic levels. The latest STEAM* data gathered on behalf of the region’s seven local authority areas by Destination North East England has revealed a promising upward trend...
North East cycling holidays showcased to thousands of European consumers
Over 40,000 cycling enthusiasts were exposed to the North East of England’s incredible cycling holidays at two international expos by leading tourism organisations last month. NewcastleGateshead Initiative (NGI) and Visit Northumberland, and cycle charity, Sustrans attended Fiets en Wandelbeurs in the Netherlands and in Belgium to encourage active holiday...
TV Series Vera and author behind the books among winners at the 2024 North East England Tourism Awards
The popular TV drama Vera and author Ann Cleeves, who wrote the book series, were awarded the Outstanding Contribution to Tourism award at last night’s ceremony. They were among 14 other award winners who were named some of the best in the region at the prestigious annual awards. Exec...
Leading tourism businesses sign up to accessible online platform to provide an inclusive welcome for visitors
Tourism businesses across the North East have committed to playing their part in making the UK the most accessible tourist destination in Europe by 2025 by implementing a web-based app for visitors with access needs. The Everybody Welcome Initiative funded by North of Tyne Combined Authority and delivered by...