County experiences 6% increase on visitors compared to 2016

The UK saw strong growth in 2017 from a mix of overseas visitor markets including China, Australia, the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC), India and the US, underpinning a record year for inbound tourism.

New figures from VisitBritain show double-digit growth in visits and spend last year from China, the world’s most valuable outbound market, with visits up 29% on 2016 to a record 337,000 and spending of £694 million, up 35%.

Northumberland has been nominated for the Best UK Holiday County/Destination in the prestigious 2018 British Travel Awards (BTAs).

The winners will be determined by the public, who have until 30 September to cast their vote.  

The ‘Best UK Holiday County/Destination’ category is particularly strong this year, with Northumberland up against strong competition. Other nominees include Cornwall, Peak District, Devon, Yorkshire, Pembrokeshire, Cumbria and the Lake District.  Once again, Northumberland is the only county in the North East to be nominated, so it is hoped the whole North East region will get behind Northumberland to bring the Gold ‘up north’! 

The Aln Valley Railway is delighted to announce it has been successful in the application for a grant to construct a platform halt and run-round loop at Greenrigg, approximately half of the way towards its ultimate goal of reaching Alnmouth station.

The grant awarded, together with 20% match funding from the sustainable transport charity Sustrans, amounts to £146,600.