Tees Valley to launch new tourist hotspot today with English Tourism Week

A new tourism service which promotes Tees Valley as a world-class destination has been launched today (March 19), by the Combined Authority with a wide range of partners, to coincide with English Tourism Week.

A dedicated destination and marketing website, tourism service and brand, Enjoy Tees Valley aims to boost the tourist economy and help tourists and residents experience the best of the region as it gears up to launch its bid for UK City of Culture 2025.

Tees Valley attracts as many day visitors as Newcastle and Gateshead, but it lags behind in overnight stays and national profile, and has been without a destination tourism service for a number of years.

Enjoy Tees Valley aims to attract more than 20 million people and add £1bn to the local economy per year by 2021, creating 3,000 new jobs.

Tees Valley Mayor, Ben Houchen, said: “From our industrial skyline to our stunning rolling countryside, each town and village that makes up the Tees Valley is rich with local culture, heritage and attractions.

“We are passionate about our home, and with the new Enjoy Tees Valley brand, we can capitalise on our strengths and ensure that visitors to the area get to sample more and experience more.”

Research has shown Middlesbrough’s Institute of Modern Art (MIMA), Stockton’s Butterfly World, Hartlepool’s Maritime Experience, Kirkleatham Museum in Redcar and Darlington’s South Park are high on visitors’ to-do lists.

Mayor Houchen added: “English Tourism Week is the perfect time to launch Enjoy Tees Valley and shout about what our region has to offer.

“It’s time to showcase all that we are proud of, throw open our arms and invite the world to see our world-class attractions for themselves ahead of launching our UK City of Culture bid in 2021.

“The tourism industry has huge potential to support regeneration, local businesses dependent on the visitor pound and safeguard and create more jobs. Our fantastic arts, culture and leisure offerings, as well as our rich heritage, play a huge role in helping it expand.

“With Enjoy Tees Valley leading the charge by positioning us as an attractive place to live, work and visit, this growth will be supercharged.”

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