Member Article

North East England on the up down under

Over two million Australians got a glimpse of the North East’s best tourism assets as a holiday programme Down Under aired a guide to Newcastle and Gateshead this month. The ‘Getaway’ programme on Australia’s Channel 9 featured a city guide to NewcastleGateshead and broadcast shots of the Quayside, Gateshead Millennium Bridge, BALTIC Centre for Contemporary Art and the Angel of the North.

It is the first time Newcastle, Gateshead, or the wider region has been featured on the prime-time travel show. The programme, which also included a competition with viewers offered the chance to win a trip to the North East, was broadcast to coincide with the launch of the new Emirates route that can now bring Australian tourists into the region via Dubai. 60,000 entries via phone and text were received during the three days that the competition was open.

Andrew Dixon, Chief Executive, NewcastleGateshead Initiative, said: “The show is unrivalled coverage which shows how together Newcastle and Gateshead offer a world-class visitor experience. The timing for the show’s broadcast could not be better, bringing NewcastleGateshead to a whole new audience just as the new Emirates flight route means travel to the city from Australia has never been easier.”

Stacy Hall, One NorthEast Director of Communications and Tourism, said: “Because of the new Emirates flights we are investing in specific promotional activity in Australia and New Zealand which we hope will have a major impact on inbound travellers. “North East England is attracting increased numbers of visitors’ world wide to experience the delights of our beautiful, historic and passionate region.”

A video of the special feature and a factsheet about NewcastleGateshead is on the show’s website, www.getaway.ninemsn.com.au.

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Ruth Mitchell .