Newcastle UK

The North East Local Enterprise Partnership - joining forces with the NewcastleGateshead Initiative, North of Tyne Combined Authority and North East Combined Authority - have announced that they plan to submit a bid for the North East of England to become a Tourism Zone under the UK's newly created Tourism Sector Deal.

Sarah Stewart, chief executive of NewcastleGateshead Initiative, said:

“We welcome the Government’s announcement of the tourism sector deal and the opportunity it presents to work with partners in the region to further strengthen our tourism offer...If successful with our bid, a Tourism Zone will strengthen the sector and amplify the wider economic and social benefits of encouraging people to move and work here, students to study here and businesses to invest here."

The Tourism Sector Deal announced by PM Theresa May last week provides for the creation of "up to five" new Tourism Zones, to receive UK Government support in product development, marketing and digital skills training.

Tourism is currently the fourth largest business sector in the North East.