Member Article

Tourism grows in Newcastle and Gateshead twin cities

Tourism in Newcastle and Gateshead has made steady improvements, with increased employment and more visitors to the cities staying overnight.

Steady growth has been reported by NewcastleGateshead Initiative, showing that there were 1.7 million people that stayed overnight in the neighbouring cities in 2011, which has increased by 5% in a year.

Employment in the twin cities also looks positive with a 5% increase of the number of people working in the sector to reach 18,321. This is bolstered by a 12% employment rise in the accommodation sector.

Tourists staying overnight in the cities spent £360 million during a total of 4.1 million nights spent in Newcastle and Gateshead, bringing a boost to the region up by 2%.

These figures show a steady improvement for the sector, and those working on the partnership between the two cities are thrilled with the results.

Sarah Stewart, chief executive of NewcastleGateshead Initiative said: “These figures demonstrate the positive impact of all the hard work from a range of stakeholders working in the tourism sector right across the area.

“From leisure visitors, to business tourists attending conferences; we have proved time and time again we have the diversity and quality to cater for a range of markets. The associated job growth is also great news for the area and the quality of our front of house staff plays a major factor in people’s experience and their desire to return again.

“Tourism is hugely important to the area and it is fantastic to see that despite an increasingly difficult economic environment, and often poor weather conditions, the sector continues to grow.”

Better employment prospects in the sector were impacted by hotel openings, with 4 hotels opening last year, including Jurys Inn on NewcastleGateshead Quays, Sleeperz, Sandman Signature and Double Tree by Hilton Newcastle International Airport.

Further openings early this year of Hotel Indigo and Ramada Encore created a further 1,800 rooms in the area.

General manager of Jury’s Inn at the Quayside commented: “The area is definitely on the rise in terms of visitors spending the night and we were keen to extend our brand presence to tap into that growing market.

“We’ve exceeded all expectations in our first year in terms of capacity. With the range of festivals and events year round and the exciting recent Olympic football, it’s a great place to visit and to stay overnight.”

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Miranda Dobson .