Hairy Biker Si King visits Queen's Hall Hexham for tourism event

On Tuesday (November 1), Visit Northumberland, the county's destination management organisation, held its annual tourism conference at the Queen's Hall Arts Centre.

More than 100 people attended from tourism, hospitality and experience sectors, hearing from speakers covering national, regional and local topics.  

Chairman Andrew Fox with conference speakers (Image: Helen Smith)

Speakers emphasised partnership and collaboration will ensure successful development of Northumberland's tourism industry.

The new Northumberland Destination Management Plan was launched,  aiming to improve connectivity, productivity and product development.

The annual tourism conference (Image: Helen Smith)

In an address by celebrity speaker Si King, one half of the Hairy Bikers, guests heard how they have a shared responsibility to praise the county's virtues in the work they do to make Northumberland shine, echoing his support for Northumberland in his personal and professional life. 

Si King, speaking at the conference (Image: Helen Smith)

Speakers included Patricia Yates, chief executive of tourism body VisitBritain and VisitEngland, and Rachel Gillis from VisitEngland who outlined the importance of Purple Tuesday, a national initiative helping businesses to improve disabled customer experience.

Si King at the tourism conference (Image: Helen Smith)

Also launched was an innovative Dark Skies Star Trails product development programme to attract new visitors, funded by the North of Tyne Combined Authority tourism and events programme. 

One of the business support workshops at the tourism conference (Image: Helen Smith)

Visit Northumberland chairman Andrew Fox said: "While there remain unprecedented challenges ahead, the roll out of the new Northumberland Destination Management Plan will help to shape the long-term future of the destination and will be delivered by activity from partners right across the sector.

"Tourism is a significant contributor to the Northumberland economy with 7.8 million visitors spending £859 million and supporting 11,179 jobs across the county in 2021 and the delivery of the plan gives us a firm footing on which to deliver more and will focus our resources to maximise economies of scale."

Si King, at the Queen's Hall, with an Illuminated Sheep on stage (Image: Helen Smith)

Councillor Jeff Watson, Northumberland County Council portfolio holder for Healthy Lives, said: "Northumberland has much to offer international, domestic and local visitors. I am delighted that Visit Northumberland is well positioned to work with partners and businesses locally, regionally and nationally.

"The focus and partnership between businesses and the Visit Northumberland team mean that we have the plans to build on our success and keep Northumberland firmly on the map."