North East England More Popular Than Ever
North East England self-catering accommodation providers have just recorded an amazing summer this year with a jump of 10% in occupancy rates over 2008. In the period between July to September 2009 the occupancy levels for self-catering properties in the North East of England was 85%, the highest level it has ever experienced since regional development agency One North East took over tourism in 2003.
Guesthouses and bed-and-breakfasts across the North East have also witnessed a jump in rates of occupancy in the summer months from 52% in 2008 to 59% this year.
July to September hotel bookings saw a small slide in occupancy rates, which is in tune with the situation across the country. But there was a rise in occupancy levels at hotels in August, which is an important tourist period in the region.
This news comes after VisitEngland revealed that the total amount of holiday journeys taken by residents of the UK to England during the month of July this year had gone up by 40%, resulting to nearly 2 million more holiday trips.
Online bookings have also experienced an important rise this year by more than doubling last year’s amount for the same period with a total of ?2.9m.
Not only accommodation businesses have been doing well. Many attractions in the region have also experienced a jump in visitors this year. Between the months of January and July, Beamish Museum, Co Durham, has received just over 200,000 visitors, a jump of 24% over last year; Cragside House and Gardens in Northumberland has witnessed a 28% increase to just fewer than 200,000 visitors.
Two of the North East England newest attractions have also experienced a stunning launch year. Saltholme Wildlife Reserve and Discovery Park in Tees Valley has received in excess of 70,000 visitors since its beginning at the start of the year, pulverizing its annual forecast of 35,000. The other new attraction of the region, Great North Museum in Newcastle, has already seen its 500,000th visitor since its opening in May.
