http://www.tourismnortheast.co.uk Tourism North East - News Articles en-gb Copyright Tourism North East Tourism North East News Tourism North East 60 Tue, 09 Mar 2010 09:46:52 GMT http://www.tourismnortheast.co.uk/site/business-toolkit/latest-news/2010/3/8/come-and-meet-lord-sugar-a1750 Sir Alan Sugar is coming to the North East and he wants to meet you! He will be in Newcastle/Gateshead on 23 March 2010 at the Hilton Hotel at a must-attend event for all small to medium sized private sector businesses.  You will have a chance to talk to Lord Sugar and receive valuable advice and insight from him as a leading figure with over 40 years of experience running large companies.   Last year Lord Sugar was appointed as 'Enterprise Cha What%27s%20New Mon, 08 Mar 2010 00:00:00 GMT News http://www.tourismnortheast.co.uk/site/business-toolkit/latest-news/2010/3/8/rural-accommodation-providers-tap-into-greener-ways-of-working-a1749 Members of  Farm Stay North East are learning first-hand about sustainability. They are working closely with Birkheads Gardens and Nursery in Sunniside, Gateshead to learn more about sustainable practices and eco-friendly ways of working.  Proprietor of the Nursery, Christine Liddle, has invited Farm Stay UK Durham to come and learn first-hand from their own 'best practice' ways of working in the hope that accommodation providers will take the tips back to their businesses for t What%27s%20New Mon, 08 Mar 2010 00:00:00 GMT News http://www.tourismnortheast.co.uk/site/business-toolkit/latest-news/2010/3/8/new-ryanair-service-welcomes-norwegian-neighbours-a1747 A low-cost Ryanair service between Newcastle and Oslo is set to bring 16,000 Norwegians jetting into Tyneside every year. The high-spending Scandinavians are said to love shopping over here, especially at the revamped Eldon Square and the Metro Centre, and, based on the estimated average amount each individual would spend, the local economy could benefit to the tune of more than £7m. Laura McCormack said: "We are delighted to be offering this new service from Newcastle to Oslo.&nbsp What%27s%20New Mon, 08 Mar 2010 00:00:00 GMT News http://www.tourismnortheast.co.uk/site/business-toolkit/latest-news/2010/3/2/calling-all-visitor-attractions-museums-and-galleries-a1744 Following on from our recent news item on the Kids in Museums Manifesto, Kids in Museums is now doing some vital survey work. They are keen to target musuems, galleries and also visitor attractions to understand more about current ticketing and to be able to shape the guidelines for a new Flexible Family Ticket to be offered by museums and galleries up and down the country. So, if you're a visitor attraction, museum or gallery based in the North East, please do spare a few minutes to What%27s%20New Tue, 02 Mar 2010 00:00:00 GMT News http://www.tourismnortheast.co.uk/site/business-toolkit/latest-news/2010/2/26/is-your-museum-signed-up-to-the-kids-in-museums-manifesto-a1719 Visitors to museums up and down the country have just launched their very own Manifesto with the aim of encouraging and supporting museums and galleries around the country to make family visits more enjoyable.  Kids in Museums was founded in 2003 under the auspices of the Guardian when writer Dea Birkett's young son was thrown out of the Royal Academy for being too noisy.  The Group now leads in promoting family-friendly policies and attitudes throughout Britain. What%27s%20New Fri, 26 Feb 2010 00:00:00 GMT News http://www.tourismnortheast.co.uk/site/business-toolkit/latest-news/2010/1/31/try-your-hand-at-tendering-for-major-contract-opportunities-a1666 Leading on from our recent Olympic contracts news item, further help is on hand from Business Link to guide North East businesses through the often complex tendering process to win major public and private sector contracts.. Their new Compete North East service aims to help the local business community become more effective in competing for contract opportunities and is keen to start with the London 2012 Olympics. The service will help businesses identify and overcome the barriers which p What%27s%20New Sun, 31 Jan 2010 00:00:00 GMT News http://www.tourismnortheast.co.uk/site/business-toolkit/latest-news/2010/1/28/read-in-depth-interview-with-visitbritain-chair-christopher-rodrigues-a1675 Christopher Rodrigues talks passionately to Janet Harmer of Caterersearch about the support he hopes the new Government will provide the tourism industry in the run-up to the 2012 Olympics and Paralympic Games.. This is a fascinating interview in which Christopher Rodrigues talks about: British tourism tourism in 2009 sustainability in tourism, how the Government can support VisitBritain in the lead up to the 2012 Olympics an overview of the additional marketing activities VisitBrit What%27s%20New Thu, 28 Jan 2010 00:00:00 GMT News http://www.tourismnortheast.co.uk/site/business-toolkit/latest-news/2010/1/28/women-of-tourism-shine-through-a1674 The achievements of 11 outstanding women in the hospitality, leisure, travel and tourism sector have been recognised in the 2010 Shine Awards at a celebratory event in London. The Shine Awards celebrate the extraordinary contribution and commitment women in tourism demonstrate to their businesses and to their members of staff, and this year's keynote speaker was delivered by past Shine Awards winner, Sandie Dawe, now CEO of VisitBritain. People 1st was this year's headline sponsor and the even What%27s%20New Thu, 28 Jan 2010 00:00:00 GMT News http://www.tourismnortheast.co.uk/site/business-toolkit/latest-news/2010/1/11/a-good-year-ahead-for-uk-tourism-a1637 Visitor numbers to the UK will top 30m as tourism to the UK returns to growth in 2010. Despite the global recession, the UK saw an increase of 300,000 visitors to October in 2009 compared to 2008, and according to predictions from VisitBritain, 2010 will see a rise of 0.8% overall in the number of visitors to the country. VisitBritain chief executive Sandie Dawe said: "Over recent years tourism has been the fastest growing industry in the world.  These figures from the International What%27s%20New Mon, 11 Jan 2010 00:00:00 GMT News http://www.tourismnortheast.co.uk/site/business-toolkit/latest-news/2010/1/11/boost-for-uk-tourism-as-high-speed-rail-plans-confirmed-a1635 The government has announced the spring launch of plans for a high speed rail network in Britain, including a north-south high-speed line from London to the Midlands, the North & Scotland. This will bring a massive long term boost for tourism in the UK as a high speed network of train routes would slash travelling time between some of Britain's most important and popular tourist destinations. The planned proposals are due to be published in a White Paper followed by a public consultation p What%27s%20New Mon, 11 Jan 2010 00:00:00 GMT News http://www.tourismnortheast.co.uk/site/business-toolkit/latest-news/2010/1/11/starting-diversifying-or-expanding-read-the-new-product-development-and-start-up-guides-a1536 If you are considering starting a new tourism business, or are thinking of expanding or diversifying an existing one, then we have two guides to help you. The Product Development Guide is for larger projects and for tourism professionals who may be supporting such investments.  It takes a detailed look at what product development is, and how to identify which projects will make a positive impact on the North East visitor economy.  It also takes an in depth look at What%27s%20New Mon, 11 Jan 2010 00:00:00 GMT News http://www.tourismnortheast.co.uk/site/business-toolkit/latest-news/2010/1/7/could-you-be-a-food-supplier-to-the-london-2012-olympic-games-a1644  The London Organising Committee of the Olympic Games and Paralympic Games (LOCOG) has outlined its vision for food at the Olympic Games in 2012 and is committed to ensuring that the best of British food is on offer. LOCOG has started a major procurement push and opportunities exist for suppliers of all sizes and from all locations across the UK. In line with the London 2012's sustainability commitments, the London 2012 Food Vision sets out benchmark and aspirational standards in how it s What%27s%20New Thu, 07 Jan 2010 00:00:00 GMT News http://www.tourismnortheast.co.uk/site/business-toolkit/latest-news/2010/1/4/north-east-caravan-sites-set-fair-for-2010-a1636 With domestic tourism trips up by 15% in 2009 and spectacular events planned for the North East in 2010, VisitEngland believe that 'people will be given an extra nudge to book caravan sites in these areas as they look to gain a greater understanding of the country they live in'. Major events in the North East for 2010 include the illuminating of Hadrian's Wall and the Tall Ships coming to Hartlepool in August. Jenny McGee, head of strategy and engagement for VisitEngland said: "these What%27s%20New Mon, 04 Jan 2010 00:00:00 GMT News http://www.tourismnortheast.co.uk/site/business-toolkit/latest-news/2009/12/29/planned-regeneration-of-northumberland-mines-turns-vision-into-reality-a1634 Plans have been agreed to transform over 2,500 acres of land at the disused Stobswood, Maidens Hall and Steadsburn coal mine sites into an ambitious sporting, tourism and leisure complex. A draft feasibility study released earlier this year by the Widdrington Regeneration Partnership proposes a huge 'Blue Sky' forested area interspersed with tourism and leisure facilities including a new golf course, hotel and spa, adult adventure centre, ski slope, children's activity centre, 4x4 and What%27s%20New Tue, 29 Dec 2009 00:00:00 GMT News http://www.tourismnortheast.co.uk/site/business-toolkit/latest-news/2009/12/29/success-for-newcastle-gateshead-convention-bureau-a1631 The Sage Gateshead convention centre has secured the Liberal Democrats' spring party conference in March 2010. It's the third time in five years that the convention bureau has secured a political conference in the spring, having staged the Conservatives' event in 2005 and the Labour meeting in 2008;. Around 1,500 delegates are expected to attend the conference, generating more than £1 million for the north-east's economy and providing a boost for local venues. Jessica Roberts, head of b What%27s%20New Tue, 29 Dec 2009 00:00:00 GMT News