Despite the referendum result, tourism businesses in North East England are still hoping to attract more European visitors after partnering with a local German-speaking Blue Badge Guide at one of Europe’s most influential tourism trade shows being held in Germany next week.
Northern Secrets, a Newcastle-based tour operator, will represent some of the region’s top attractions including Alnwick Castle, Beamish, DFDS, Durham Cathedral, Raby Castle, The Bowes Museum, Durham University Attractions, Vindolanda, and Sunderland as well as accommodation provider Hampton by Hilton at RDA – the leading international trade-only exhibition for the coach tourism sector – in Cologne from 5 and 7 July.
Alex Jacobs, the managing director of Northern Secrets is a Blue Badge Guide for and has been bringing trips and tours to North East England from Europe since 2008. Alex is bilingual and has lived and worked in both Germany and the UK but it is his passion for this region, North East England that drives his business. He was recently awarded a top National Travel Award for his work in the development of incoming group visitors to the UK.
Alex Jacobs said, “Following the referendum, it is now even more important that the UK and North East England in particular, has a presence at European events such as this to ensure we can keep attracting high numbers of valuable European visitors to our region.
“The north-east is famously known as a very welcoming place and we need to ensure that this is the message that is being received with our friends and colleagues in Europe.”
According to RDA in Germany, there are over 19 million bus and coach holidays taken by German people every year, with a value of over 10 billion euros. And nearly two-thirds of these trips are to destinations outside of Germany.
“We already know that North East England is already a popular destination for German holidaymakers with over 55,000 visiting every year. We see the German coach market as an area that we can grow for tourism businesses in North East England,” continued Alex.
“Within the group travel market, there is still a strong demand for suppliers and buyers to meet face-to-face to do business. It is important that the north-east is on show so it can welcome more tourists and by working with and being able to highlight just how many amazing attractions North East England has at the show, we hope that is something we will achieve.”
Northern Secrets has been operating since 2008 and provides personalised and bespoke quality tours around northern Britain including Scotland, Wales, Yorkshire and North East England.
Established in 2008 Northern Secrets is a small tour company based in Newcastle that specialises in trips and tours to Northern Britain. Bringing over 7000 people to the region every year it provides quality bespoke group holidays. It aims to not only bring people to the region but to let them really experience the north east. For more information: www.northernsecrets.co.uk