Regional Tourism Team Update - 18.08.06
Welcome to our fortnightly e-bulletin packed with information about what the North East England Regional Tourism Team have been up to.
UK Marketing Activity »
International Marketing Activity »
Travel Trade Activity »
Tourism Development Unit »
Business Development Unit »
Tourism North East online »
UK MARKETING ACTIVITY
NEW Holiday and Short Breaks Guide 2007
Over the next week, look out for the solicitation material for the Holiday and Short Breaks Guide 2007 which includes new reduced advertising rates! For more information please contact Katherine Hodgson.
Pocket Guide 2006
If any accommodation providers are running low on the North East England Pocket Guides, please call Pamela Hetherington on 0191 229 6914 or email pam.hetherington@onenortheast.co.uk. If you would like to find out more about the Pocket Guide or download your own copy please click here.
Regional Media Campaign
The Regional Media Campaign has been running throughout the summer and is drawing to a close with just a couple of weeks of activity left to take place. The aim of the campaign is to encourage people from around the region to make day visits and book overnight stays elsewhere in the region. The campaign has seen regional press and radio activity promoting the fantastic attractions and events taking place in North East England. For further information please contact Katherine Hodgson.
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INTERNATIONAL MARKETING ACTIVITY
DFDS Survey
With the cooperation of DFDS Seaways, the Regional Tourism Team is carrying out passenger surveys on international holidaymakers boarding the DFDS crossings to Norway, Holland and Sweden. The surveys will identify how, when and why overseas visitors come to North East England and the UK, and give an important insight into how we can best target our Nordic and Scandinavian markets to visit North East England in the future. Each passenger will also receive a copy of the new North East England Pocket Map Z-card. For more information contact Helen Moderate.
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TRAVEL TRADE ACTIVITY
Group Travel Roadshows
Interested in generating 'Groups' business for your venue? Ensure you book your place for the North East England Group Travel Roadshows 2006. These events are recognised as an effective way to generate group business and will be taking place at a range of top UK group attractions later this year:
20 October - Fountains Abbey & Studley Royal Water Garden, North Yorkshire
17 November - Tate Liverpool & The Beatles Story
30 November - Blenheim Palace, Oxfordshire
Look out for the booking forms coming through your door or, to reserve your place, contact Steve Reed Tourism.
Group Travel Guide 2007
Production of the new 2007 guide, encouraging 'groups' business for North East England, is now underway. To ensure you are included in this definitive publication, please contact Lorna at in2design & publishing.
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TOURISM DEVELOPMENT UNIT
Business Confidence High
The second quarter of 2006 (April – June) proved to be a success for the regions tourism businesses. Overall occupancy levels for both self-catering and serviced properties are up on the same period in 2005 and more than 50% of respondents to the Tourism Business Panel indicated that they felt their business performance was stronger than in 2005. With more than 60% of businesses feeling confident that July to September will see more visitors than in 2005, the signs are good for a strong summer season for tourism in the North East.
For more information on Tourism Performance in the region please click here.
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BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT UNIT
Oscars Come to Town
A high quality of entries was received for this year’s Tourism Awards. Chaired by John Sands the judging panel, which includes two former winners of the National Awards, reviewed almost 90 entries before selecting a short list of businesses to go forward to the next stage. Visits to the short-listed businesses are taking place later this month and final judging will take place on 1 September. The Award Ceremony will be held at Newcastle Civic Centre on 10 October. Winners of twelve of the Regional Awards will represent the North East in the National Awards to be held spring 2007. For more information contact Janet Smith.
Going Green is Paying Off
The regional pilot of the Green Tourism Business Scheme is now underway. The scheme, launched at a seminar in June at Northumberland National Park HQ, helps tourism businesses to realise the business benefits of taking a green approach.
Following the success of the launch, a further three seminars have been organised providing an opportunity to find out about the scheme, the potential benefits for your business and how you can get involved. The seminars take place between 10.00am and 4.00pm with buffet lunch provided:
14 September Enterprise House, Barnard Castle
23 October One NorthEast, Newburn Riverside, Newcastle
9 November The Centre. Alnwick
To book your place please contact Janet Smith.
Licensing for Tourism
With such little media attention, it is not surprising that many businesses have not yet woken up to the new Licensing Act. Don’t be caught out! The Sage Gateshead, in association with the Licensing Act Team at Gateshead Council, has designed a workshop that will cover the basics and application of the Licensing Act 2003 and highlight differences between the old and new laws.
The workshop takes place on 13 September from 1-4pm in the Barbour Room at The Sage Gateshead. For more information or to book a place at the workshop contact Claire Capel or call 0191 443 4662.
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FIND OUT MORE
If you would like to find out more on tourism in the region, visit www.tourismnortheast.co.uk - a dedicated website for the tourism industry in North East England.
RECOMMEND A FRIEND
If you know of anyone who is not currently receiving the Regional Tourism Update but who might be interested in receiving a copy, then please send their email address to Vicky Paris who will add them to the distribution list.
