The finalists for the North East England Tourism Awards (NEETA) 2024 have officially been revealed, showcasing the diverse and innovative businesses in the region.
With 14 categories up for grabs, the prestigious awards celebrate some of the region’s best hotels, restaurants and individuals who exemplify the region’s vibrant visitor economy.
The awards will be held in Spring next year with many of the winners going on to represent the region at the VisitEngland Awards for Excellence, giving tourism business the opportunity to shine and represent our region on a national stage.
This year the North East picked up two Gold awards for Serenity Farne Island Boat Tours for Experience of the Year and Kidlandlee Holiday Cottages for Self Catering of the Year. Silver went to Langley Castle Hotel for Resilience and Innovation Award and Rockliffe Hall Hotel, Golf & Spa Resort was awarded a Bronze in the Large Hotel of the Year category.
NewcastleGateshead Initiative (NGI) was also awarded Silver in the new TXGB Trailblazer Award for its New Adventures website – a campaign funded by North of Tyne Combined Authority and led by NGI in partnership with Visit Northumberland and North Tyneside Council.
A special award for Outstanding Contribution to Tourism will also be announced on the night. This year’s winner was actor and TV Presenter Robson Green.
Sarah Green, chief executive of NGI said: “Congratulations to the businesses and individuals who have been named as finalists, we look forward to celebrating with them at the awards ceremony next year.
“Tourism is without doubt a huge asset for the region’s economy and as the first government-funded regional tourism pilot we have set ourselves the ambitious target to double the size of the sector in the next ten years – creating more jobs, driving innovation, ensuring an accessible and inclusive welcome for all and creating year-round demand.
“As part of the pilot we are working closely with the businesses at the heart of our visitor economy to deliver a business support programme to ensure the sector can reach its full potential. Businesses such as these announced today are key to raising that profile and achieving those targets.
“We have some exciting developments set to open in the region over the next few years, including The Sage ICC and The Sage Arena, which will help to further propel the North East as a leading visitor destination.”
Delivered by Destination North East England and ran in partnership with VisitEngland, (NEETA) celebrate quality, innovation, and best practice, showcasing the fantastic range of high-quality experiences on offer for visitors in our region. Destination North East England is led by NewcastleGateshead Initiative on behalf of the region, working with delivery partners Visit Northumberland and Visit County Durham and in working in partnership with all seven local authorities.
Sponsorship packages are available for the awards ceremony to find out more email: TourismAwards@ngi.org.uk
North East England Tourism Awards 2024 Shortlisted Businesses
(in alphabetical order)
Accessible and Inclusive Tourism Award
Northumberland National Park, NORTHUMBERLAND
Seventeen Nineteen, SUNDERLAND
Spectrum Holidays, NORTHUMBERLAND
The Alnwick Garden, NORTHUMBERLAND
Vindomora Country Lodges, NORTHUMBERLAND
Business Events Venue of the Year
Crowne Plaza Newcastle Stephenson Quarter, NEWCASTLE
Event Durham, Durham University, DURHAM
Newcastle Civic Centre, NEWCASTLE
Camping, Glamping and Holiday Park of the Year
Hadrian’s Wall Campsite, NORTHUMBERLAND
Woodland Chase Glamping, NORTHUMBERLAND
Vindomora Country Lodges, NORTHUMBERLAND
Ethical, Responsible and Sustainable Tourism Award
Dalton Park, DURHAM
Northumberland Zoo, NORTHUMBERLAND
Kidlandlee Holiday Cottages, NORTHUMBERLAND
Experience of the Year
Athey’s Moor Flying School, NORTHUMBERLAND
Blackfriars Cookery School, NEWCASTLE
Serenity Farne Island Boat Tours, NORTHUMBERLAND
Large Hotel of the Year
Hotel Indigo Durham, DURHAM
Matfen Hall, NORTHUMBERLAND
Rockliffe Hall Hotel, DURHAM
Large Visitor Attraction of the Year
Beamish, The Living Museum of the North, DURHAM
Hall Hill Farm, DURHAM
Northumberland Zoo, NORTHUMBERLAND
Whitehouse Farm Centre, NORTHUMBERLAND
Ushaw Historic House, Chapel and Gardens, DURHAM
New Tourism Business of the Year
The Hiddle Hut, NORTHUMBERLAND
Holiday Inn Sunderland City Centre, SUNDERLAND
Seventeen Nineteen, SUNDERLAND
Pub of the Year
The Beresford Arms Whalton, NORTHUMBERLAND
The Joiners Arms, NORTHUMBERLAND
The Twice Brewed Inn, NORTHUMBERLAND
Self-catering accommodation of the Year
Chesters Stables, NORTHUMBERLAND
Honeybee Cottage, NORTHUMBERLAND
Kidlandlee Holiday Cottages, NORTHUMBERLAND
Small Hotel of the Year
Langley Castle Hotel, NORTHUMBERLAND
Seaham Hall, DURHAM
South Causey Inn, DURHAM
Small Visitor Attraction of the Year
Falconry Days, NORTHUMBERLAND
Kielder Observatory, NORTHUMBERLAND
The Spanish Gallery, The Auckland Project, DURHAM
Taste of North East England
Blackfriars Restaurant, NEWCASTLE
Spanish City, NORTH TYNESIDE
The Old Boathouse, NORTHUMBERLAND
The Lord Crewe, Bamburgh, NORTHUMBERLAND
Unsung Hero
Michelle Kindleysides (Beamish, The Living Museum of the North), DURHAM
Duncan Wise (Northumberland National Park), NORTHUMBERLAND
Media Enquiries:
Hayley Quarmby, hayley.quarmby@ngi.org.uk 0191 424 5786
www.northeasttourismawards.co.uk
Destination Development Partnership Pilot
Back in 2022, the North East was chosen to deliver the first-ever regional tourism pilot, receiving £2.25 million from national government covering a period to March 2025. The pilot will be led by NGI on behalf of the region, working with delivery partners Visit Northumberland and Visit County Durham and in partnership with all seven local authorities. The region will act as a potential blueprint for the rest of England and help shape the future landscape of destination management organisations, delivering local economic growth through the visitor economy across the whole region.
A Destination Development Partnership which is led by a LVEP, on behalf of a wider region and other LVEPs to create a programme of activity funded by DCMS and managed by VisitEngland to deliver the government’s ambitions for the sector at a regional level.
For more information visit https://www.ngi.org.uk/ddp/
VisitEngland
As the national tourism agency – a non-departmental public body funded by the Department for Culture, Media & Sport (DCMS), VisitBritain/VisitEngland plays a unique role raising Britain’s profile worldwide, increasing the volume and value of tourism exports and developing England and Britain’s visitor economy.
www.visitengland.com
About NewcastleGateshead Initiative
NGI is a destination and inward investment agency that delivers for Newcastle, Gateshead, and the wider region. NGI incorporates the brands of Invest Newcastle, Visit NewcastleGateshead and NewcastleGateshead Convention Bureau.
Every single one of our projects are dedicated to making a lasting social and economic impact. As drivers and enablers of economic growth, we champion our offer on a world stage and we maximise our impact through our partnerships. We work collaboratively with Newcastle City Council, Gateshead Council, North of Tyne Combined Authority, partners, and other stakeholders to create a better place to live.
We engage with stakeholders and policy makers to influence on a national and regional level to benefit the people who live and work here. We promote the distinctiveness of our region, its culture, and its people to create an authentic voice that makes us stand out from the crowd. We work across key growth sectors and use insight and intelligence to drive innovation, inward investment, and business growth. In addition, we attract world class conferences that reinforce our sector strengths and the strategic importance of tourism.
We exist to benefit the people of NewcastleGateshead and the wider region, leaving a legacy and meeting the needs of future generations. We play our part in delivering the regions sustainable and inclusive ambitions, creating a world class distinctive destination to enjoy, stay and invest.
About Visit County Durham
Visit County Durham is the Local Visitor Economy Partnership (LVEP) for County Durham working on behalf of businesses and public agencies, we came into being on 1 April 2006.
Our purpose is to provide strategic added value, coordination and leadership for tourism activity and the visitor economy in the county, working in partnership with public agencies, private sector, and tourism businesses. We deliver Durham County Council’s destination
management, destination marketing and place marketing functions. We are supported by a private, not-for-profit company limited by guarantee, with a board of directors.
Visit County Durham assists the county to fulfil its potential as one of North East England’s lead destinations, attracting visitors to the region from across the UK and from target overseas markets. Our objective is to ensure that the tourism sector performs to its maximum potential and brings economic benefits to the county in the form of wealth and job creation. Our broad aims are to attract people to the county by raising its profile and appeal, and to provide visitors with the best possible experience.
About Visit Northumberland
Visit Northumberland is the Destination Management Organisation for Northumberland, working closely with Northumberland County Council and tourism businesses to ensure visitors receive the best possible experience www.northumberlandtourism.org.uk. Visit Northumberland is the official visitor information website for Northumberland. Find accommodation, attractions, events and things to do in Northumberland. www.visitnorthumberland.com
