We're heading back to where it all started, as we're joined by Ian Thomas, Chief Operating Officer of NewcastleGateshead Initiative for a data deep dive for 2025. In our first ever episode, Ian provided a fascinating insight into the latest STEAM data and now, with the latest data released, we're back to do it again.

This episode takes a look at the current performance of the visitor economy and uncovers the tidbits that businesses need to grow and develop throughout 2025.

For more hints, tips, advice and opportunities to grow your visitor economy business, visit https://destinationnortheastengland.co.uk/

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As the North East gears up for its starring role in the hotly-anticipated summer blockbuster 28 Years Later, Destination Digest caught up with North East Screen's Gayle Woodruffe to talk all things film and TV, it's power to attract thrill-seeking tourists and how visitor economy businesses can capitalise on the region's Hollywood ambitions.

Discover what goes into attracting large scale film and TV shoots to the region, what casts and crews are looking for and how you can craft unforgettable experiences for 'set jetters' from all over the world who are eager to walk in the footsteps of their favourite stars.

For more hints, tips, advice and opportunities to grow your visitor economy business, visit https://destinationnortheastengland.co.uk/

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Sustainability and regenerative tourism are at the heart of everything we do as England's first Destination Development Partnership Pilot. Now, we want to help events organisers make more sustainable and responsible choices when organising events in North East England, with the help of a brand new toolkit developed in collaboration with BeaconHouse Events.

Join BeaconHouse's Sarah Thackray and NewcastleGateshead Initiative's Caroline Reed and Shelley Johnson as we take a deep dive into the world of sustainable events and discover how the toolkit can help you plan greener, more responsible events that leave a positive impact on our people, places and planet.

For more hints, tips, advice and opportunities to grow your visitor economy business, visit https://destinationnortheastengland.co.uk/

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The power of business events to grow the North East's visitor economy should not be underestimated. Caroline Reed, the region's business events guru and leader of NewcastleGateshead Convention Bureau sits down with Jonny Chambers to uncover why attracting business events, conventions and conferences to the region can play a huge role in expanding our reach, attracting more visitors and opening up the destination to visitors from around the world.

https://www.meetnewcastlegateshead.com/

https://www.meetnewcastlegateshead.com/plan-your-event/sustainable-events-toolkit/

For more hints, tips, advice and opportunities to grow your visitor economy business, visit https://destinationnortheastengland.co.uk/

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Recorded during English Tourism Week which this year had the theme of 'supporting people and places to drive growth', we sat down with two skills and education experts both of whom have spent a large part of their career embedded in the visitor economy to discuss the current skills landscape for visitor economy businesses, what the future workforce looks like, how businesses can provide meaningful career pathways and why everyone should want to work in the visitor economy!

For more hints, tips, advice and opportunities to grow your visitor economy business, visit https://destinationnortheastengland.co.uk/

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Co-ordinating a cast of over 1000 volunteers telling over 2000 years of English history is the mammoth task that falls to Wendy Wilshere,Head of Volunteer Casting and Engagement at the epic outdoor spectacular Kynren.

From her background as a Kynren volunteer herself to the person leading the small army of dedicated people who bring the show to life, we delve into what it takes to rally such a big crowd of people to deliver an exceptional experience for over 8000 visitors nightly. We'll take a look at how Kynren has reshaped Bishop Auckland and find out more about the incredible new Storied Lands immersive attraction on the horizon.

Wendy is a finalist in this year's VisitEngland Tourism Superstar, recognising her dedication and unwavering commitment to her volunteer team and to the transformation of the Bishop Auckland area. Wendy is the epitome of a Tourism Superstar and we're delighted to be able to throw our support behind her campaign to bring the crown home to the North East! Tap the link to cast your vote https://www.visitbritain.org/working-us/visitenglands-tourism-superstar-award

For more hints, tips, advice and opportunities to grow your visitor economy business, visit https://destinationnortheastengland.co.uk/

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Join VisitEngland's Accessibility and Inclusion lead Ross Calladine, disability and accessibility campaigner and Access and Inclusion UK's Jane Cooper and accessible tourism and travel writer and Head of Communications at AccessAble Carrie-Ann Lightley for a fascinating look at all things accessibility and inclusion.

Destination North East England has ambitions to transform the North East into one of Europe's most accessible and inclusive destinations and our guests on this episode uncover what changes businesses can make, from small quick wins to transformative programmes of improvement to ensure everybody feels welcome.

From the importance of thoughtfulness and being yourself to listening to and acting on feedback from disabled visitors, we also discuss how new technologies can improve the visitor experience and why it's important to cater for the 25% of the population who travel with an access requirement in England.

For more hints, tips, advice and opportunities to grow your visitor economy business, visit https://destinationnortheastengland.co.uk/

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North East England has launched a world-leading, globally significant regenerative visitor economy framework and in this episode, we uncover what this brave, new world means for the region, our businesses and our leaders.

Sustainability and regenerative tourism expert Guy Bigwood, Chief Executive and Chief Changemaker at GDS Movement discusses how the framework came about, what it means for the region and the regenerative future we're ushering into being.

As the scourge of 'over-tourism' hits destinations around the globe, how prepared is the North East when it comes to dealing with more tourists and the carbon footprint increases that brings, how are we going to protect our people, our place and our planet and what does the future look like for our visitor economy.

For more hints, tips, advice and opportunities to grow your visitor economy business, visit https://destinationnortheastengland.co.uk/

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