Industry News

The tourism sector in the North East is now worth £5.4bn, the first time it has exceeded £5bn since 2019.

Tourism is the fourth largest sector in the North East and is England’s third largest employer. Latest STEAM* figures for 2022 have revealed that the tourism sector in the North East is worth £5.4bn, the first time it has exceeded £5bn since 2019.

The sector supports more than 58,000 jobs, with 14,000 more people being employed in the sector between 2021/22. Tourism recovery from the pandemic has bounced back more quickly than expected, with a 37% increase in economic impact since 2021.

Recognising the significant potential to grow the sector further, the North East was awarded the first-ever government funded regional tourism pilot, to improve skills, develop new itineraries, work with the travel trade to attract group bookings, drive innovation, support business events and improve the accessibility and sustainability of the sector. The partnership, named Destination North East England, operates across all seven local authorities, and will work in parallel with the plans for the forthcoming North East Mayoral Combined Authority.

To celebrate this partnership between national government, the seven local authorities and the tourism industry, Fiona Pollard, Chair of the VisitEngland Advisory Board visited the region and met with Councillor Amanda Hopgood, Leader of Durham County Council, representing the seven local authorities in the North East and John Marshall, Chair of NewcastleGateshead Initiative (NGI) and Destination North East England at Beamish, The Living Museum of the North.

Fiona met with tourism leaders, businesses and visitor attractions recognising the partnership between the existing tourism bodies NGI, Visit County Durham, and Visit Northumberland, who have all been recognised by government as leading destination management organisations and one of the first official Local Visitor Economy Partnerships (LVEPs) in England.

The visit recognised the scale of ambition of this unique partnership who will work together through the pilot to further unlock the huge potential of the region’s visitor economy and to develop a 10-year strategy which aims to double the size of the region’s visitor economy.

Councillor Amanda Hopgood, Leader of Durham County Council and representing the seven local authorities in the North East, said:  

 “Latest figures demonstrate how the North East’s tourism sector is bouncing back from the pandemic, contributing more than £5bn to the economy for the first time since 2019. Partnership work has been a key factor in the North East’s success - regionally, nationally, and internationally.

“We are such a spectacular region and working in partnership with public and private sector partners will help us to further develop our tourism offer, attract investment, and realise the huge untapped potential that exists here.

“It’s been an honour to welcome the Chair of VisitEngland’s Advisory Board to the North East. We have some amazing places and people across our region, and not only did she get to see some of the investment already taking place here first hand, but the visit provided an opportunity for us to showcase our ambitious plans for the future.”

Fiona Pollard, Chair VisitEngland Advisory Board said:

“The North East has incredible potential which is why VisitEngland awarded the first funded regional Destination Delivery Partnership to the region.  I was so impressed by what’s on offer in the region in terms of attractions, beaches, castles, and gardens but the best asset you have is your warm people who all made me feel very welcome.” 

“We look forward to continuing to work closely with England's first Destination Development Partnership pilot in the North East as it sets an example for the sector to replicate across the country with its exciting and ambitious plans for growth. And to seeing the great activity it is delivering with businesses and stakeholders to attract domestic and overseas visitors. There is undoubtedly a bright future ahead for tourism in the region.”

John Marshall, Chair of the Destination North East England Board added:

“It is great to see the continued recovery of this critical industry post covid and this visit provided a great opportunity to share our plans with VisitEngland. This pilot has been the catalyst for the development of a ten-year plan that will double the size of our visitor economy and position our region as a must-visit sustainable and inclusive destination. This visit marks a significant milestone as we reach year one of the pilot and highlight the North East’s contribution to tourism recovery. 

“We were delighted to welcome Fiona Pollard to our region, to experience our outstanding tourism offer and welcome, and see first-hand the scale of our ambitions for investment into the future of our visitor economy. We are committed to maximising the potential of our incredible region, boosting our local economy, and creating jobs and opportunity for all.”

NewcastleGateshead Initiative (NGI), Visit County Durham and Visit Northumberland were the first organisations to be recognised by VisitEngland in a new national portfolio of strategic tourism bodies called Local Visitor Economy Partnerships (LVEPs).

Back in 2022, the North East was chosen to deliver the first-ever regional tourism pilot in England, receiving £2.25 million from national government covering a period to March 2025. The pilot will be led by NGI on behalf of the region, working in partnership with Visit Northumberland and Visit County Durham and across all seven local authorities. VisitEngland will work very closely with the pilot area, looking for benefits and learnings which can be shared nationwide as the pilot progresses.