Destination awareness workshops shed new light on tourist hotspots in Sunderland this March.
Held in two of the city’s most exciting tourism venues; The Stadium of Light and The National Glass Centre, Welcome to Tyne and Wear workshops are aimed at anyone who works with visitors to ensure the best possible experience for visitors to Tyne and Wear.
Free to attend, they provide information about the regions annual visitors; Tyne and Wear’s history and heritage; what attracts tourists to the region; and how industry professionals can impact on the overall visitor experience.
Tourism Tyne and Wear’s business relationship manager, Paul Szomoru, said: “What we are trying to achieve with the workshops is a tourism workforce that come together and are well equipped with information to advise visitors on the best places to stay, play and relax no matter what their budget or interests”.
Sunderland has seen an increase in visitor spend of 3% to £342.1million from 9.08million visitors in the past 3 years. Over 40 million people visit Tyne and Wear every year, spending almost £2 billion.
Cath Hindle, head of tourism development at Tourism Tyne and Wear said; “The changing face of the tourism industry in the UK means it is more important than ever for businesses to take advantage of opportunities like the Welcome to Tyne and Wear workshops.
“By learning about what other visitor attractions and accommodation providers have to offer tourists, the workforce can ensure that visitors get the most from their time in Sunderland and spend their money within the local area, boosting the value of the economy where it matters most.”
Welcome to Tyne and Wear is open to all businesses working in the tourism and hospitality industries in the North East, are free for businesses to attend and include a two hour walking tour of Sunderland, highlighting the city’s major attractions and tourist hotspots.
The workshops will be held Tuesday 1 March at the Stadium of Light, and Thursday 3 March at the National Glass Centre in Sunderland from 12.00 – 18.00. To sign up, or for more information contact Roisin Cook on 0191 440 5730 or email roisin.cook@tourismtyneandwear.com
ENDS
Media Enquiries
Abbey Linfoot, PR assistant, Tourism Tyne and Wear
Abbey.Linfoot@tourismtyneandwear.com 0191 440 5739
Shelley Ann Staines, Media and PR Manager, Tourism Tyne and Wear,
Shelley.staines@tourismtyneandwear.com 0191 440 5739/0771 763 1109
Notes to Editor
• Tourism Tyne and Wear is the Area Tourism Partnership for Tyne and Wear.
• The partnership is made up of key stakeholders involved in delivering, developing and promoting the visitor experience in Tyne and Wear and is supported by Newcastle City Council, Gateshead Council, Sunderland City Council, South Tyneside Council and North Tyneside Council, and NewcastleGateshead Initiative.
• Tourism Tyne and Wear is a key business partner in the Tourism network North East. Along with the ATPs in Durham, Northumberland, Tees Valley and the tourism team based within One North East.