Tourism is now the fourth largest sector in the North East following a rapid bounce back from the pandemic, latest figures have demonstrated.
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 – while also supporting more than 58,000 jobs, with 14,000 more people being employed in the sector between 2021/22. The figures, compiled in line with STEAM (Scarborough Tourism Economic Assessment Model) that uses local supply-side data and visitor survey data, also show how tourism is England’s third largest employer.
Tourism and civic leaders hailed the region’s recovery from the pandemic, highlighting how it has bounced back quicker than expected, with a 37% increase in economic impact since 2021.
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The figures come six months after the North East became 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.
Last November, the region received £2.25m from the Government covering a period to March 2025. The pilot is led by NGI on behalf of the region, working in partnership with Visit Northumberland and Visit County Durham and across all seven local authorities.
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.
Fiona Pollard, chair of the VisitEngland Advisory Board visited the region and met with coun 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.
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The visit recognised the scale of ambition of the partnership, which is working together to unlock the potential of the region’s visitor economy, and to develop a 10-year strategy which aims to double the size of its impact.
Coun Hopgood, said: “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.”
Ms Pollard 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.”
Mr Marshall 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.