Fury as Tories claim North East gets too much tourism cash

Jun 26 2009 by Adrian Pearson, The Journal

Deveolpment bosses defend record

DEVELOPMENT bosses have defended their track record in promoting the region’s diverse tourist economy.

Tory culture MP Tobias Ellwood claims that agencies such as One North East have done more damage than good.

He added: “One or two Regional Development Agencies have done well to promote tourism, the North West’s RDA is one example, but that is because it does not hold on to that money centrally.

“Nobody has heard of the North West’s RDA or the North East’s RDA, but they have heard of Blackpool and Newcastle.

“Those are the brand names that need to be promoted, rather than the RDA names, which have taken all the money.” Last night a spokesman for One North East said: “Tourism in the region is promoted under the North East England brand, which was developed after research in 2004 suggested the region needed to become more recognised as a holiday destination.

“Since this was developed the value of tourism has grown by over 30% and it is now worth almost £4 billion to the region’s economy.

“The tourism industry employs more than 60,000 people, an increase in 14.5% over the past five years.

“More visitors than ever are coming to the region with over four million people visiting the region last year.”

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