Four billion good reasons for North East unity

Jan 30 2010 by Adrian Pearson, The Journal

TOURISM bosses have pointed to their £4bn contribution to the regional economy as overwhelming evidence that the North East must continue to work together.

Since the region’s leading tourist spots were told to stop competing against each other, the North East has seen unprecedented success.

In the past five years there has been a 30% increase in tourism revenue.

In 2008 the region stood alone as the only area outside London to see more visitors spend more money.

Since 2003 the region has presented itself as the perfect package for short breaks or long summer stays, putting together advertisements which sell the North East off the back of its multiple attractions.

That approach, including the “passionate people, passionate places” message, has added £1bn to region’s economy and seen 7,640 new jobs created.

Changes to the region’s unified voice expected after the General Election could threaten that success.

Development agency One North East has helped lead the regional approach, and it remains unclear whether the same resources would be available when the next government begins a series of public sector cuts.

Any future government would first have to explain what it will do to see the North East continues to be promoted nationally and internationally.

Experts across the region say the days of competing against rather than helping each other are behind them.