Destination marketing organisation, NewcastleGateshead Initiative, has launched the first edition of a brand-new visitor guide to the destination.
The Official Map and City Guide will be produced three times a year, with seasonal content curated for visitors in each version. The first edition, which covers November 2019 – February 2020, features a festive theme and was sponsored by Newcastle United Football Club.
The guide includes a host of things to see and do in and around NewcastleGateshead, including events, attractions, culture, entertainment, shopping, sport, activities, days out, places to eat and nightlife. With 60,000 copies produced, visitors will easily find a copy of the guide to pick up at locations across Newcastle and Gateshead.
The A5 fold-out guide also incorporates a full size NewcastleGateshead map, making it easy for visitors to locate the featured hotels, restaurants and attractions.
The launch of the guide signals a move to a more sustainable approach to visitor information, as it combines two previous pieces of print – the visitor map and the biennial NewcastleGateshead Pocket Guide. By printing a smaller quantity of the new guide seasonally, information remains relevant and there is less overall waste.
The guide will also be distributed in partnership with ZMove, a zero-emissions delivery service that uses a fleet of electric cargo bikes to transport goods across Newcastle and Gateshead.
Paul Szomoru, Director of Tourism at NewcastleGateshead Initiative, said: “We’re really excited to launch this new piece of print. Our digital activity grows from strength to strength – NewcastleGateshead.com attracted 1.6 million unique visitors in the last 12 months alone and our social marketing channels such as @altweet_pet and #MyKindofToon have a record number of followers. However, research says that visitors still like something to hold when in a destination.
“We wanted to pull together great quality, relevant, timely content for our visitors, encouraging them to get the most out of their visit. Producing it three times a year, in collaboration with many of the brilliant local businesses across Newcastle, Gateshead and North East England, who are all partners of NGI’s, allows us to do just this.”
Yvette Thompson, Head of Marketing at Newcastle United Football Club, said: “The Official Map and City Guide is a great way to showcase Newcastle United’s unique place in the heart of the city.
“Whether it’s the vibrancy of matchday, exploring our history on an official stadium tour or attending a business event, St. James’ Park is one of the many attractions that make visiting NewcastleGateshead a wonderful experience.”
The tourism industry continues to see significant growth in NewcastleGateshead, with a total of 18.65 million people visiting the destination last year, including 2.2 million overnight visitors. Visitors to NewcastleGateshead spent £1.76 billion in 2018, highlighting the importance of tourism to the wider economy.