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| Holidaying in the UK |
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Throughout 2009 the buzz word on the lips of the tourism industry was ‘staycation’.
Love it or loathe it the trend of taking short breaks and days out on home turf instead of holidays abroad boosted the UK tourism economy, reaping benefits for accommodation providers, attractions and restaurants. Here in Tyne and Wear, staycation breaks have helped sustain the local tourism economy during what has been an uncertain time and we’ve seen businesses flourish as a result.
Blue Reef Aquarium in Tynemouth is a stand-out case, growing their business with a brand new animal display. In Newcastle the Great North Museum opened its doors in April 2009 at the height of the economic down-turn; the free attraction has proved hugely popular with residents and visitors, with more than 650,000 crossing the doors in the year since it opened. The story is the same across the region, Tees Valley have seen similar success with attractions like Salthome RSPB reserve welcoming g their 100,000th visitor in March after opening in January 2009. In Durham the Riding Farm B&B are expanding their business with additional rooms and Beamish outdoor museum is seeing business boom as they celebrate 40 years since the museum opened; while in Northumberland Bamburgh Castle have this year opened their doors during the off-season for the first time in order to deal with demand from visitors.
Part of the reason for this success is down to businesses realising the demand for good value days out and breaks for families. Since 2008 we’ve been working with businesses to develop the Discover Pass, an attractions discounting pass for use across Tyne and Wear and North East England. Now in its third year the pass offers discounts at more than 60 attractions and can save users in excess of £300 on entry to attractions and in cafés and gift shops. It’s a simple concept, but for families living in and visiting the region schemes like this help make a good family day out into a great one.
Cath Hindle is Head of Tourism Development at Tourism Tyne and Wear. For more information on days out and breaks in Tyne and Wear, and to learn more about the Discover Pass go to
www.visitnewcastlegateshead.co.uk
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Staycation success in North East England, by