Who's Who in Tourism

Tourism Organisations and Associations in North East England

Below are the key tourism organisations in our region.

Tourism Network North East

Not an organisation in itself, this is the collective name for One NorthEast Tourism - the regional tourism body - and the four Area Tourism Partnerships. They work together to provide a coherent set of services for tourism businesses in the North East, and to avoid duplication of effort.

One NorthEast Tourism

This is the tourism arm of the regional development agency, One NorthEast. It has five areas of responsibility:

1. to work with other organisations in the region so we get the most value from all the money and effort expended on developing tourism
2. to encourage the right investment in tourism and to influence central government's thinking
3. to help tourism businesses develop to meet the needs of today's customers
4. to promote the region to the UK and abroad
5. to co-ordinate visitor services across the region (including all the Tourist Information Centres)

Click here to view One NorthEast Tourism's activities

Area Tourism Partnerships

There are four area tourism partnerships, each with responsibility to manage, support and grow tourism in their county or area. They work closely with One NorthEast Tourism and other government and private sector organisations to:

1. to promote their areas through websites, publications and PR to the UK
2. to help tourism businesses develop and grow
3. to help the staff who work in tourism to develop and grow
4. to research the needs of tourism in their areas and develop plans for meeting those needs

The four organisations are (click to view their activities and contacts):

• County Durham Tourism Partnership (CDTP)
• Northumberland Tourism
• Tourism Tyne and Wear
• visitTeesvalley

People 1st

People 1st is the skills agency for people working in the hospitality, leisure, travel and tourism sector. It is a publicly funded body and its role is to raise the skills and qualifications of the staff in these industries. Their vision is, "The Hospitality, Leisure, Travel and Tourism Sector delivering world class productivity through its skilled people," and their aim is to make sure, "the skills employers need are the skills they get." They provide research, information, training, advice and resources for employers and employees.

It is an anomaly that this sector is such a people trade, and yet, traditionally, the people employed in it are amongst the least skilled, lowest paid and have the least job security. At a time of increased competition in tourism, having the right staff with the right skills can make a huge difference to the success of your business. Visit www.people1st.co.uk to find out more.

Tourism associations and trade associations

There are a number of private sector associations that promote an area or a group of businesses, or provide a business network.

www.visitalnwick.org.uk

Alnwick Tourism Association is a voluntary organisation who's purpose is to promote tourism to the Alnwick District for the benefit of the local businesses and wider community.

North East Hoteliers Association Tel: 0871 3769029
This hotel association has 27 members operating across the 4 sub regions within the North East of England. Monthly meetings bring members together to discuss and address issues within the business and tourism community.
Please contact the Chairman, Damon Roberts at damon.roberts@thistle.co.uk in the first instance.

www.nnta.org

North Northumberland Tourism Association was founded in 1985 and is the oldest established tourism association in Northumberland and the Scottish Borders.

www.visit-rothbury.co.uk

Rothbury & Coquetdale Tourism Association (RACTA) is a voluntary organization consisting of diverse businesses in and around Rothbury and in Coquetdale.

www.welcomenorthumberland.co.uk

Welcome Northumberland Tourism Association was inaugurated at a public meeting in January 2007. The organisation has 100 members across Northumberland. It exists to promote the business of its members and to promote Northumberland as a whole to Tourism. It is a voluntary organisation and has a constitution.

www.whitley-bay-hoteliers.co.uk

Whitley Bay Hoteliers Association is for all types of accommodation providers in and near Whitley Bay.