Tourism businesses in North East England are being encouraged to go green to claim a bigger share of the North East’s £4bn tourism industry.

The region’s tourism agencies are keen to encourage rural businesses to explore the benefits of eco-friendly practices and become more appealing to environmentally aware holidaymakers.

A conference – Pure Profit 2010 – is being held in Durham City on March 18 to showcase how going green can make businesses more profitable, sustainable and marketable. The conference is delivered by tourism agency Visit County Durham on behalf of One North East and is sponsored by Natural England.

Janet Cummings, business performance coordinator at One North East, said: “More and more consumers are now environmentally aware and looking to reduce their carbon footprint whenever possible, even on holiday, leading many to choose domestic short breaks instead of overseas trips.

As this tourism trend grows it’s vital for North East England to be known nationally as a place that offers a high quality, ethical and green experience for visitors.”

Pure Profit 2010 is being held at the Rivergreen Centre, Aykley Heads, Durham, a multi award winning green business centre, and features speakers from the worlds of tourism, environmental research and sustainable business practices. Full details of the speakers in Notes to Editors.

Tourism is the UK’s fifth biggest industry, worth £4bn to the region’s economy per year and sustains over 60,000 jobs. Several North East tourism businesses are already benefiting from being green.

In 2009, North East accommodation businesses who were members of the Green Tourism Business Scheme recorded occupancy rates 19 per cent higher than non accredited businesses.

A recent pan European survey by electrical goods manufacturer Samsung found that a third of consumers would opt for an ‘eco-friendly’ hotel, demonstrating that green credentials have a major impact in influencing the decisions of holidaymakers.

Durham’s Outdoor and Active Week runs from April 5-11, as part of National Outdoor Adventure Week, and features events including guided mountain biking, orienteering, guided walks and hiking, landscape photography, archery, fencing and high ropes activity courses.

The events range in cost from free to £5 and will be talking place in beauty spots including the North Pennines Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty and European Geopark – the second largest AONB in Britain – and in the heather clad Durham Dales – home to sweeping moorlands and High Force, Britain’s largest waterfall.

Melanie Sensicle, chief executive of Visit County Durham, said: “Durham Outdoor and Active Week is a great way of handpicking a bespoke outdoor break at the fraction of the usual cost or simply exploring a new area for an exciting day trip.”

For more information and a full list of events see below and log onto: www.thisisdurham.com/active

Outdoor and Active Week Events Listings

April 5-11
Try Orienteering
Race against the clock to find the checkpoints around the 1km course in the Durham Dales.
Weardale Outdoor, Coves House Estate, Wolsingham, DL13 3BG
Time: anytime during opening hours, all day, all week
Contact: James, 01388 529 354, or email: james@weardaleoutdoor.co.uk

Mountain Bike Taster Sessions
Weardale Outdoor, Coves House Estate, Wolsingham, DL13 3BG
Time: anytime during opening hours, all day all week
Contact: James, 01388 529 354, or email: james@weardaleoutdoor.co.uk
Price: £2 for an hours ride
Under 18’s must be accompanied by an adult.

April 5
Cotherstone and Deepdale Woods
Time: 10.30am (4.5 hours) 9 miles MEDIUM/LONG
Contact: Ian Gray – Voluntary Countryside Ranger
Start: Post Office, Galgate, Barnard Castle. GR NZ049166 OS map 92, Explorer OL31
Buses: No suitable service
£2.50, packed lunch needed
Tel: 0191 383 4144, or email: countryside@durham.gov.uk

Outdoor Tennis at Crook Hall and Gardens
Learn to play tennis with coach Andrew Burn.
Times: 11:30am -1pm and 1:30pm till 3pm.
Usual admission to the gardens applies – tennis is free.
Web: www.crookhallgardens.co.uk
Tel: 0191 384 8028

April 6-11
Guided Mountain Bike Rides
Hamsterley Forest, Teesdale, DL13 3LN
Times: 10:30 -12:30am
Tel: 01388 488 222
Email: shop@woodnwheels.co.uk
Web: www.woodnwheels.net
Rides every day throughout Outdoor and Active Week

April 6
Mountain Bike Ride for the girls
The Hamsterley Trailblazers are running a female rider only guided mountain bike ride on green and blue trails for beginners and intermediates.
Hamsterley Forest Visitor Centre, DL13 3LN
Time: 6:30pm
For more: Vicky Chilcott, vicky@century.gb.com or tel: 0191 4168200.

April 6
Deerness Valley reclaimed
Time: 1pm (3.5 hours) 4.5 miles MEDIUM
Contact: George Wharton – Countryside enthusiast
Start: Car park behind the Co-op, New House Road, Esh Winning. GR NZ 191417 OS map 88, Explorer 307
Buses: Arriva 43
£2.50
Tel: 0191 383 4144, or email: countryside@durham.gov.uk

April 7

Viewing the start of original Stockton and Darlington Railway
Time: 10am (3 hours) 5 miles MEDIUM
Contact: Derek S Newby – Local Historian
Includes a guided tour of the Railway Musuem
Start: Meet outside Timothy Hackworth Museum, Locomotion, use any car park, Shildon. GR NZ231256 OS map 93, Explorer 305
Buses: Any bus or train to Shildon
£2.50, packed lunch needed
Tel: 0191 383 4144, or email: countryside@durham.gov.uk

Photography walk: Durham by twilight
Time: 8pm (2 hours) 2 miles EASY
Contact: Philip Nixon – Photographer
Booking only. Call 0191 384 5058. Bring a tripod
£2.50

April 8

Causey Arch and Beamish
Time: 10am (4.5 hours) 7 miles MEDIUM
Contact: Mike Munro – Countryside Ranger
Start: Causey Arch picnic area, on west side of A6076, near Stanley. GR NZ205562 OS map 88, Explorer 308
Buses: Go North East x30, x31 to Causey Arch Inn
£2.50, packed lunch needed
Tel: 0191 383 4144, or email: countryside@durham.gov.uk

April 9
A tale of two reservoirs – Smiddy Shaw and Tunstall
Time: 10am (5.5 hours) 10.5 miles MEDIUM/LONG
Contact: Brian Page – Voluntary Countryside Ranger
Start: Waskerley Station picnic area, Waskerley village, off Castleside to Stanhope road. GR NZ051454 OS map 87, Explorer 307
Buses: No suitable service
£2.50, packed lunch needed
Tel: 0191 383 4144, or email: countryside@durham.gov.uk

April 10
Waldridge Fell and No Place
Time: 10am (5 hours) 10 miles MEDIUM/LONG
Contact: Steve Shippen – Voluntary Countryside Ranger
Start: First car park on left coming from Waldridge Village, behind St Barnabas’ nursery. GR NZ253496 OS map 88, Explorer 308
Buses: Go North East 25
£2.50, packed lunch needed
Tel: 0191 383 4144, or email: countryside@durham.gov.uk

April 11
Easter walk: Sunderland Bridge to Bowburn
Time: 10am (4.5 hours) 9 miles MEDIUM/LONG
Contact: David Spence – Voluntary Countryside Ranger
Start: Sunderland Bridge, old road over River Wear, off B6300. GR NZ265377 OS map 93, Explorer 305
Buses: Go North East 21, Arriva 7
£2.50, packed lunch needed
Tel: 0191 383 4144, or email: countryside@durham.gov.uk

April 11
Fencing for beginners
Introduction to fencing techniques – anyone welcome.
Booking only, please call 0191 383 4144 during office hours
Free of charge, no dogs.

Further events may appear on www.thisisdurham.com between now and Outdoor and Active Week.

Durham’s Outdoor and Active Week runs from April 5-11, as part of National Outdoor Adventure Week, and features more than 17 free and great-value events for visitors to pick from and construct their own bespoke activity holiday.

Events include guided mountain biking, orienteering, guided walks and hiking, landscape photography workshops and entry to high ropes activity courses.

Melanie Sensicle, chief executive of Visit County Durham, said: “Durham is sandwiched between Northumberland and Yorkshire and is often overlooked or forgotten about as a place for outdoor activity.

For many, the essence of true escape and outdoors exploration is the feeling of tranquillity, the awe of incredible natural landscapes and having the space, freedom and time to enjoy them – quite simply this is Durham.”

In 2007, the Campaign to Protect Rural England carried out a tranquillity mapping survey of the UK, looking for the least polluted, quietest and best preserved natural environments.

North East England was voted the most tranquil region in Britain and County Durham was voted its fourth most peaceful place.

Many events are taking place in the North Pennines Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty and European Geopark, an area known as “England’s last remaining wilderness,” and in the Durham Dales. The area is known for its high sweeping moorland ridges, heather clad uplands, powerful waterfalls and isolated reservoirs.

The AONB shares a boundary with the Yorkshire Dales National Park in the South and extends as far as the Tyne Valley in the North. Its western boundary follows the Pennine Escarpment and in the east it grades into West Durham

Maria Murphy, countryside information officer for Durham County Council, said: “Durham’s industrial past has left a massive footpath network which is great for outdoor leisure and recreational use. Old quarries and mining sites have been turned into nature reserves and many former railway tracks have become scenic footpaths, it’s a brilliant county to explore on foot or on two wheels.”

Top-5 Facts about the North Pennines AONB

1. It’s the second largest AONB in the UK behind the Cotswolds
2. It is Britain’s first UNESCO European Geopark, awarded 2003
3. 40% of the UK’s upland hay meadows are in the AONB
4. 80% of England’s Black Grouse live in the area
5. England’s biggest waterfall, High Force in Teesdale, is in the AONB

In addition to the organised events, many self catering cottages, guesthouses, hotels and B&B’s are offering special short break packages during Spring and into Summer, including three nights for the price of two, 25% off, or discounts on mountain bike hire and outdoor activities.

For full details about Outdoor and Active Week and accommodation packages, log onto: www.thisisdurham.com/active
See below for details of all Durham Outdoor and Active Week events:

Outdoor and Active Week Events Listings

April 5-11
Try Orienteering
Race against the clock to find the checkpoints around the 1km course in the Durham Dales.
Weardale Outdoor, Coves House Estate, Wolsingham, DL13 3BG
Time: anytime during opening hours, all day all week
Contact: James, 01388 529 354, or email: james@weardaleoutdoor.co.uk

Mountain Bike Taster Sessions
Weardale Outdoor, Coves House Estate, Wolsingham, DL13 3BG
Time: anytime during opening hours, all day all week
Contact: James, 01388 529 354, or email: james@weardaleoutdoor.co.uk
Price: £2 for an hours ride
Under 18’s must be accompanied by an adult.

April 5
Cotherstone and Deepdale Woods
Time: 10.30am (4.5 hours) 9 miles MEDIUM/LONG
Contact: Ian Gray – Voluntary Countryside Ranger
Start: Post Office, Galgate, Barnard Castle. GR NZ049166 OS map 92, Explorer OL31
Buses: No suitable service
£2.50, packed lunch needed
Tel: 0191 383 4144, or email: countryside@durham.gov.uk

Outdoor Tennis at Crook Hall and Gardens
Learn to play tennis with coach Andrew Burn.
Times: 11:30am -1pm and 1:30pm till 3pm.
Usual admission to the gardens applies – tennis is free.
Web: www.crookhallgardens.co.uk
Tel: 0191 384 8028

April 6-11
Guided Mountain Bike Rides
Hamsterley Forest, Teesdale, DL13 3LN
Times: 10:30 -12:30am
Tel: 01388 488 222
Email: shop@woodnwheels.co.uk
Web: www.woodnwheels.net
Rides every day throughout Outdoor and Active Week

April 6
Mountain Bike Ride for the girls
The Hamsterley Trailblazers are running a female rider only guided mountain bike ride on green and blue trails for beginners and intermediates.
Hamsterley Forest Visitor Centre, DL13 3LN
Time: 6:30pm
For more: Vicky Chilcott, vicky@century.gb.com or tel: 0191 4168200.

April 6
Deerness Valley reclaimed
Time: 1pm (3.5 hours) 4.5 miles MEDIUM
Contact: George Wharton – Countryside enthusiast
Start: Car park behind the Co-op, New House Road, Esh Winning. GR NZ 191417 OS map 88, Explorer 307
Buses: Arriva 43
£2.50
Tel: 0191 383 4144, or email: countryside@durham.gov.uk

April 7

Viewing the start of original Stockton and Darlington Railway
Time: 10am (3 hours) 5 miles MEDIUM
Contact: Derek S Newby – Local Historian
Includes a guided tour of the Railway Musuem
Start: Meet outside Timothy Hackworth Museum, Locomotion, use any car park, Shildon. GR NZ231256 OS map 93, Explorer 305
Buses: Any bus or train to Shildon
£2.50, packed lunch needed
Tel: 0191 383 4144, or email: countryside@durham.gov.uk

Photography walk: Durham by twilight
Time: 8pm (2 hours) 2 miles EASY
Contact: Philip Nixon – Photographer
Booking only. Call 0191 384 5058. Bring a tripod
£2.50

April 8

Causey Arch and Beamish
Time: 10am (4.5 hours) 7 miles MEDIUM
Contact: Mike Munro – Countryside Ranger
Start: Causey Arch picnic area, on west side of A6076, near Stanley. GR NZ205562 OS map 88, Explorer 308
Buses: Go North East x30, x31 to Causey Arch Inn
£2.50, packed lunch needed
Tel: 0191 383 4144, or email: countryside@durham.gov.uk

April 9
A tale of two reservoirs – Smiddy Shaw and Tunstall
Time: 10am (5.5 hours) 10.5 miles MEDIUM/LONG
Contact: Brian Page – Voluntary Countryside Ranger
Start: Waskerley Station picnic area, Waskerley village, off Castleside to Stanhope road. GR NZ051454 OS map 87, Explorer 307
Buses: No suitable service
£2.50, packed lunch needed
Tel: 0191 383 4144, or email: countryside@durham.gov.uk

April 10
Waldridge Fell and No Place
Time: 10am (5 hours) 10 miles MEDIUM/LONG
Contact: Steve Shippen – Voluntary Countryside Ranger
Start: First car park on left coming from Waldridge Village, behind St Barnabas’ nursery. GR NZ253496 OS map 88, Explorer 308
Buses: Go North East 25
£2.50, packed lunch needed
Tel: 0191 383 4144, or email: countryside@durham.gov.uk

April 11
Easter walk: Sunderland Bridge to Bowburn
Time: 10am (4.5 hours) 9 miles MEDIUM/LONG
Contact: David Spence – Voluntary Countryside Ranger
Start: Sunderland Bridge, old road over River Wear, off B6300. GR NZ265377 OS map 93, Explorer 305
Buses: Go North East 21, Arriva 7
£2.50, packed lunch needed
Tel: 0191 383 4144, or email: countryside@durham.gov.uk

April 11
Fencing for beginners
Introduction to fencing techniques – anyone welcome.
Booking only, please call 0191 383 4144 during office hours
Free of charge, no dogs.

Further events may appear on www.thisisdurham.com between now and Outdoor and Active Week.

In Brief

Ancient live theatre revived
Durham is reviving its lost tradition of performing ancient biblical Mystery Plays for the public. The Durham Mystery Plays – reworked by modern contemporary writers and producers – take place from May 27-29 at iconic locations including Durham Cathedral and Castle and the Gala Theatre. www.durhammysteries.co.uk
For full story see below

Food Festival in a Bishop’s Palace
North East England’s largest food festival, The Bishop Auckland Food Festival in the Durham Dales, takes place in the scenic grounds of Auckland Castle – the residence of the Bishop of Durham – on April 17. www.bishopaucklandfoodfestival.co.uk
For full story see below

Beamish celebrates 40 years as North’s Living Museum
Beamish Museum celebrated its 40th birthday in February and will be hosting events throughout the year to celebrate. The award winning open air museum – which charts the history of North East life in the 18th and 19th centuries – has also invested in new attractions, including an Edwardian Fairground and steam powered horse carousel. www.beamish.org.uk

Special Offers – DURHAM DEALS
Durham Deals on the official tourism website, www.thisisdurham.com, offer excellent savings on short breaks including 3 nights for the price of 2 and 25% off at leading hotels, cottages, guest houses and B&B’s, 2-for-1 entry to visitor attractions and up to 10% per cent off the food bill.

New Openings and Exhibitions
The County – Aycliffe Village
One of Durham’s best restaurants, The County at Aycliffe Village – where Tony Blair once entertained French Premier Jacques Chirac – has opened seven luxury guest rooms adding comfy thick duvets, fluffy towels and chic design to hearty locally sourced food. www.thecountyaycliffevillage.com

Food and Drink
The Black Horse at Beamish is a cosy gastro pub dating back to the C17th and has undergone a two-year makeover. It sources its produce from its own two-acre garden and orchard and is taking a true field-to-plate approach to serving great food. Seats 120. www.blackhorsebeamish.co.uk

Theatre

The Lady in the Van – Gala Theatre
Alan Bennett’s The Lady in the Van – a heart warming tale about the relationship between a writer and an eccentric bag lady – who lived in a battered van near Bennett’s home in Camden Town, has opened at Durham’s Gala Theatre. When she was repeatedly attacked, he invited her to park in his garden, she stayed for 15 years. February 18-27, Tickets £12-15, www.galadurham.co.uk

Exhibition
The Ruth Borchard Collection presents an exhibition of British self portraits in the 20th century at The DLI Museum and Art Gallery. Evoking the spirit of the London Art World between 1920 and 1970, the exhibition is a thought provoking insight into this classic art form. Runs January 16 to February 28. www.durham.gov.uk/dli

Pitman Painters, Mining Art of the Great Northern Coalfield, opened on Friday February 5 and runs until June 6 at the Old Fulling Mill Museum of Archaeology, Durham City. Moving collection of art works by miners turned painters charting the harsh industrial past of North East England. www.dur.ac.uk/fulling.mill

NEWS IN FULL

Ancient live theatre revived in Durham
One of the earliest forms of live English theatre is being revived in Durham this Spring and given a modern makeover.

Mystery Plays were a hugely popular form of live drama in the 15th century and were an entertaining way of teaching Bible stories to a population which largely could neither read nor write.

More than five centuries later, arts groups in North East England have chosen to revive this ancient tradition over three days of live performances from May 27-29 at sites in Durham.

Visitors will be able to witness stories including the Creation, the Day of Judgement, the Crucifixion and Noah and the Flood retold through a variety of modern genre and multimedia, including street and urban dance, film, poetry, comedy, song, light demonstrations, dynamic pulsating music and choreography.

Durham is an ideal place to host Mystery Plays. The city is home to the World Heritage site Durham Cathedral, one of the UK’s finest religious buildings, and the burial place of two of the most important figures in English Christian History – St Bede, the father of English History – and St Cuthbert, whose work helped convert the North to Christianity in the seventh century.

Simon Stallworthy, director of Durham’s Gala Theatre, and the man behind the Durham Mysteries, said: “When I first moved to Durham I thought there might be some Mystery Plays, like with York, but pretty quickly I found they had been lost over the years.

I thought, wouldn’t it be interesting to take the Mystery Plays – The Fall of Lucifer, Adam and Eve, Noah’s Ark, The Nativity, Cain and Abel – as a starting point and commission some new plays by asking writers – ‘Which mystery plays would you choose’?; How would you perform them.”?

The plays have been revived in places such as York and Chester, and are set for their comeback in Durham, with local writers and established literary figures creating ten new and modern interpretations.

The timing of the Mystery Plays revival coincides with Durham’s bid to become the first-ever UK City of Culture in 2013. The new government competition is looking to identify a city or area that can make a massive contribution to the culture of the Nation.

Melanie Sensicle, chief executive of Visit County Durham, said: “The Mystery Plays are a symbol of Durham’s burning ambition and creativity and an indication of what people could expect if we are successful in our bid to become the UK’s City of Culture.”

Some of Britain’s leading literary lights have penned new versions for the Durham Mysteries including David Almond, author of Skellig, and Ian McMillan, the Yorkshire Poet whose work regularly appears on BBC Radio 4’s Today Programme.

For more information about the Durham Mystery Plays, log onto: www.durhammysteries.co.uk

Notes to editors
Media enquires please contact Goulding Public Relations: Suzy Goulding, Tel 07977190868, email suzy@gouldingpr.com or Anna Goulding, Tel 07957639486, email anna@gouldingpr.com

The Durham Mysteries is managed by The Gala Theatre and Durham City Vision, and is part of North East England’s world-class programme of festivals and events developed by Culture10 and funded by The Arts Council of England through their Grants for the Arts scheme and Durham County Council.

Makeover for North East England’s biggest food festival
The Wear Valley Food Festival, North East England’s largest food festival, has been given a makeover for 2010.

This year’s festival takes place on April 17 with the new name, The Bishop Auckland Food Festival in the Durham Dales, and new organisers Durham County Council have assured visitors that they can expect the same combination of artisan made local food and drink, family friendly entertainment and proud North Eastern heritage – all for no cost. The festival is free.

Following its most successful year ever – when it attracted nearly 30,000 visitors to the Durham market town of Bishop Auckland – the festival became too big for its volunteer organisers to manage and control of the event passed to Durham’s local authority.

Melanie Sensicle, chief executive of Visit County Durham, said: “It’s such good news for Durham that the food festival will continue to be a major draw for visitors to our region. Not only does it showcase the best of our region’s food and drink offer but it highlights the hidden gems that are the market towns of the Durham Dales, complete with their culture, art, retail and visitor attractions.”

Set in the leafy and historic grounds of Auckland Castle, the free-to-enter festival showcases the finest food producers in North East England and has grown into one of the region’s must-visit annual events.

Packed with interesting belly warming food stalls, including chilli sauce makers Trees Can’t Dance, national award winning cheese makers The Durham Cow Cheese Company, warming cordials from Glendale Ginger and cracking pies from North Country Lass, this is a great day out for all foodies.

The festival isn’t just about food. Local arts and crafts people flock to display the best of their creative talent and products including patchwork quilting, jewellery making and beading.

Foodie delights for the kids
There are special foodie experiences just for children including learning to make an Onion Bhaji from scratch with local Indian restaurant Spice Island and a stall offering lessons on how to make healthy pizza’s, pasta dishes and salads.

The British Army also hosts an annual obstacle course for children.

Visit County Durham has launched a new pocket sized visitor guide in a bid to encourage domestic tourists to stay longer and explore more of Durham: North East England’s cultural city and county.

The Durham Pocket Guide 2010 – was unveiled last week at Beamish Museum, one of Britain’s best loved open air museums – and profiles the best places in the county to visit, eat, shop and relax.

Durham is one of 14 places vying to become the first ever UK City of Culture in 2013 and is awaiting the results of its bid from the Department of Culture Media and Sport.

It will find out in February whether it has made a shortlist of five cities which could go on to host major events including the Turner Prize, The Booker Prize, BAFTA’S and The MTV Music Awards in 2013.

Craig Wilson, marketing manager for Visit County Durham, said: “It’s such an exciting time for Durham and the Pocket Guide is a great way to highlight the best of our cultural events calendar, the quality of our eateries and the rich diversity of cultural attractions and places to visit in our county.”

The guidebook targets people who have already arrived in the North East and is available at Tourist Information Centres, at visitor attractions, shops, restaurants, libraries and encourages people to consider extending their stays and add new experiences to their travel plans.

It’s expected to be a busy year for tourism to Durham following the boost given to its profile by November’s Lumiere light festival which attracted 75,000 people across three days and a host of national press and TV exposure.

The North East’s biggest food festival, The Wear Valley Food Festival, is back again on April 17 with a new name – The Bishop Auckland Food Festival in the Durham Dales – and aims to showcase the best of artisan food and crafs production alongside an exciting programme of entertainment and family fun.

In May 2010, Durham revives its lost tradition of performing Mystery Plays with new contemporary reworkings of ancient tales including Adam and Eve and Noah and the Flood.

Live performances in the city are planned across three nights from May 27-29 and the city’s hotels and eateries are gearing up for an upsurge in visitors.

“The Mystery Plays are the latest in a series of major cultural events which have helped position Durham as an exciting and affordable UK city break destination.

In the past two years Radisson has opened its first North Eastern property and boutique hotels and luxury guest houses have opened to provide city breakers with even more quality and choice,” added Wilson.

In August, the internationally acclaimed Tall Ships Race comes to Hartlepool, County Durham from the 7th to the 10th – its historic ships and lively atmosphere for crews and visitors are set to further boost the appeal of the North East as a domestic break destination.

Tourism is worth more than £4bn per year to North East England and Durham attracts almost 18m visitors annually to view its world class Cathedral City, dramatic coast and idyllic rural dales.

The region’s best tourism businesses were honoured last night (THURS) at the 2009 North East England Tourism Awards, held at The Hilton, NewcastleGateshead.

Winners were announced in 15 categories at the prestigious awards including the BUPA Great North Run, (Best Tourism Event); Doxford Cottages, near Alnwick, Northumberland, (Self-Catering of the Year); Gisborough Hall Hotel, Guisborough, Tees Valley, (Large Hotel of the Year) and Headlam Hall Hotel, Darlington (Small Hotel of the Year).

The awards, organised by Regional Development Agency One North East, rewarded the leading individuals, businesses and attractions that are contributing to the region’s thriving tourism industry, which is worth almost £4bn to the region’s economy.

The full list of GOLD winners honoured last night is:

Access for All Tourism Award
North Music Trust (Sage Gateshead), Tyne & Wear
Bed and Breakfast/Guest Accommodation of the Year
The Old School, near Alnwick, Northumberland
Best Tourism Experience
Gateshead Millennium Bridge, Tyne & Wear
Business Tourism Award of the Year
Sunderland Football Club, Tyne & Wear
Caravan/Holiday Park of the Year
Seafield Caravan Park, Seahouses, Northumberland
Large Hotel of the Year
Gisborough Hall Hotel, Guisborough, Tees Valley
Large Visitor Attraction of the Year
Hartlepool Maritime Experience, Tees Valley
Outstanding Customer Service Award
Stuart Buglass, Marriott Gosforth Park Hotel
Self Catering/Serviced Apartment of the Year
Doxford Cottage, near Alnwick, Northumberland
Small Hotel of the Year
Headlam Hall Hotel, Darlington, County Durham
Small Visitor Attraction of the Year
WWT Washington Wetland Centre, Tyne & Wear
Sustainable Tourism Award
Hunting Hall, Beal, Northumberland
Taste of North East England
Archer’s Jersey Ice Cream, Tees Valley
Tourism Event of the Year
Bupa Great North Run
Tourist Information Centre of the Year
Peterlee Tourist Information Centre, County Durham

Alan Clarke, Chief Executive of One North East said: “I would like to congratulate all the winners on their success. The standard and number of entries to this year’s awards was incredibly high and all the finalists should be very proud of their achievements.

“2009 has been a challenging year for the region’s economy, but the tourism industry has continued to see a growth with occupancy levels at many of the region’s accommodation providers showing an increase on last year.

“And with continued private and public investment in tourism, the region can offer visitors an exciting and unique choice of things to do and places to stay.”

The awards showcase quality, performance and innovation within the tourism sector and recognise excellence in a number of tourism fields. They are free to enter and enable businesses to analyse their strengths and weaknesses, with judges looking for excellence in categories including customer care, staff training and accessibility.

Geoff Hodgson, chairman of the North East Tourism Advisory Board, who presented the awards last night, said: “This year’s winners showcase the quality and diversity of tourism businesses we have in the region and are a great example of excellence.

“They will now go on to represent the North East England at the National tourism awards next year, where the region has achieved great success previously. We hope this will also be inspiration for other business to enter the awards next year and take advantage of the fantastic rewards they bring.”

Two winners from the 2008 North East England Tourism Awards went on to win GOLD at the National Enjoy England Awards for Excellence. The Old School, B&B in Newton-on-the-Moor, near Alnwick, won Best Tourism Website of the Year and The Hytte self-catering cottage, near Hexham, won in the Access for All category.