Destination Digest

About Destination Digest

Join England's first Destination Development Partnership as we unlock the untapped potential in North East England's visitor economy. With top tips, tricks and fascinating insight, we'll help you grow your business and make the region a great place to visit. On each episode, we'll hear from tourism, hospitality and visitor economy trailblazers, who are poised to provide you with a wealth of knowledge and expertise, from deep diving into the latest visitor data to understanding how to make your business greener, more sustainable, inclusive and accessible. Your host Jonny Chambers will grill these industry experts and help signpost North East visitor economy businesses to the right support, to help Destination North East England on its mission to double the value of the region's visitor economy by the end of the decade. About Destination North East England Destination North East England was established to unlock the untapped potential in North East England’s visitor economy. The region has ambitious plans to unlock untapped potential, aiming to double the size of our visitor economy by the end of the decade, whilst also positioning the region as a global leader in regenerative tourism and one of Europe’s most welcoming, accessible and inclusive destinations. The North East was chosen to deliver the first-ever Destination Development Partnership pilot in England, receiving £2.25 million from national government. It operates across all seven local authorities, working together to improve skills, develop products, work with travel trade, drive innovation, support business events and improve the accessibility and sustainability of the sector. The pilot has been the catalyst for the development of a ten-year plan that will double the size of our visitor economy and position our region as a must-see destination, whilst attracting private investment and driving growth. This is a regional collaboration and an incredible opportunity to unlock growth and the untapped potential in the North East of England by develop our regional eco-system and supporting industry. Destination North East England is led by NewcastleGateshead Initiative on behalf of the region, working with delivery partners Visit Northumberland and Visit County Durham and in partnership with all seven local authorities. NewcastleGateshead Initiative, Visit County Durham, and Visit Northumberland were the first organisations to be recognised by VisitEngland in a new national portfolio of strategic tourism bodies called Local Visitor Economy Partnerships (LVEPs). A Destination Development Partnership pilot is led by a LVEP, on behalf of a wider region and other LVEPs to create a programme of activity funded by DCMS and managed by national body VisitEngland to deliver the government's ambitions for the visitor economy at a regional level. The region will act as a potential blueprint for the rest of England and help shape the future landscape of destination management organisations, delivering local economic growth through the visitor economy across the whole region. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy (https://acast.com/privacy) for more information.

Publisher

Destination North East England

Category

business · business · business

Language

en

Explicit

No

First episode

3 Jul 2024

Latest episode

1 Aug 2025

Latest episodes

11 episodes in the feed.

1. 

   1 Aug 2025

   The 2025 Visitor Economy Deep Dive

   We're heading back to where it all started, as we're joined by Ian Thomas, Chief Operating Officer of NewcastleGateshead Initiative for a data deep dive for 2025. In our first ever episode, Ian provided a fascinating insight into the latest STEAM data and now, with the latest data released, we're back to do it again. This episode takes a look at the current performance of the visitor economy and uncovers the tidbits that businesses need to grow and develop throughout 2025. For more hints, tips, advice and opportunities to grow your visitor economy business, visit https://destinationnortheastengland.co.uk/ Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy (https://acast.com/privacy) for more information.

2. 

   11 Jul 2025

   Visit If You Dare - The Power of Screen Tourism & 28 Years Later

   As the North East gears up for its starring role in the hotly-anticipated summer blockbuster 28 Years Later, Destination Digest caught up with North East Screen's Gayle Woodruffe to talk all things film and TV, it's power to attract thrill-seeking tourists and how visitor economy businesses can capitalise on the region's Hollywood ambitions. Discover what goes into attracting large scale film and TV shoots to the region, what casts and crews are looking for and how you can craft unforgettable experiences for 'set jetters' from all over the world who are eager to walk in the footsteps of their favourite stars. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy (https://acast.com/privacy) for more information.

3. 

   27 Jun 2025

   The Ultimate Sustainable Events Guide

   Jonny Chambers interviews Shelley Johnson, Caroline Reed, and Sarah Thackray about Destination North East England's Sustainable Events Toolkit, which guides event organizers toward greener, socially impactful choices.

4. 

   14 May 2025

   Getting Down To Business... Events

   The power of business events to grow the North East's visitor economy should not be underestimated. Caroline Reed, the region's business events guru and leader of NewcastleGateshead Convention Bureau sits down with Jonny Chambers to uncover why attracting business events, conventions and conferences to the region can play a huge role in expanding our reach, attracting more visitors and opening up the destination to visitors from around the world. https://www.meetnewcastlegateshead.com/ (https://www.meetnewcastlegateshead.com/) https://www.meetnewcastlegateshead.com/plan-your-event/sustainable-events-toolkit/ (https://www.meetnewcastlegateshead.com/plan-your-event/sustainable-events-toolkit/) Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy (https://acast.com/privacy) for more information.

5. 

   21 Mar 2025

   Developing Skills and Opening Up Career Pathways in the Visitor Economy

   Recorded during English Tourism Week which this year had the theme of 'supporting people and places to drive growth', we sat down with two skills and education experts both of whom have spent a large part of their career embedded in the visitor economy to discuss the current skills landscape for visitor economy businesses, what the future workforce looks like, how businesses can provide meaningful career pathways and why everyone should want to work in the visitor economy! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy (https://acast.com/privacy) for more information.

6. 

   21 Feb 2025

   Becoming a Tourism Superstar

   Co-ordinating a cast of over 1000 volunteers telling over 2000 years of English history is the mammoth task that falls to Wendy Wilshere,Head of Volunteer Casting and Engagement at the epic outdoor spectacular Kynren. From her background as a Kynren volunteer herself to the person leading the small army of dedicated people who bring the show to life, we delve into what it takes to rally such a big crowd of people to deliver an exceptional experience for over 8000 visitors nightly. We'll take a look at how Kynren has reshaped Bishop Auckland and find out more about the incredible new Storied Lands immersive attraction on the horizon. Wendy is a finalist in this year's VisitEngland Tourism Superstar, recognising her dedication and unwavering commitment to her volunteer team and to the transformation of the Bishop Auckland area. Wendy is the epitome of a Tourism Superstar and we're delighted to be able to throw our support behind her campaign to bring the crown home to the North East! Tap the link to cast your vote https://www.visitbritain.org/working-us/visitenglands-tourism-superstar-award (https://www.visitbritain.org/working-us/visitenglands-tourism-superstar-award) Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy (https://acast.com/privacy) for more information.

7. 

   15 Nov 2024

   Leading the Way for Accessibility and Inclusion

   Join VisitEngland's Accessibility and Inclusion lead Ross Calladine, disability and accessibility campaigner and Access and Inclusion UK's Jane Cooper and accessible tourism and travel writer and Head of Communications at AccessAble Carrie-Ann Lightley for a fascinating look at all things accessibility and inclusion. Destination North East England has ambitions to transform the North East into one of Europe's most accessible and inclusive destinations and our guests on this episode uncover what changes businesses can make, from small quick wins to transformative programmes of improvement to ensure everybody feels welcome. From the importance of thoughtfulness and being yourself to listening to and acting on feedback from disabled visitors, we also discuss how new technologies can improve the visitor experience and why it's important to cater for the 25% of the population who travel with an access requirement in England. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy (https://acast.com/privacy) for more information.

8. 

   27 Sept 2024

   The North East's World-Leading Regenerative Future

   North East England has launched a world-leading, globally significant regenerative visitor economy framework and in this episode, we uncover what this brave, new world means for the region, our businesses and our leaders. Sustainability and regenerative tourism expert Guy Bigwood, Chief Executive and Chief Changemaker at GDS Movement discusses how the framework came about, what it means for the region and the regenerative future we're ushering into being. As the scourge of 'over-tourism' hits destinations around the globe, how prepared is the North East when it comes to dealing with more tourists and the carbon footprint increases that brings, how are we going to protect our people, our place and our planet and what does the future look like for our visitor economy. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy (https://acast.com/privacy) for more information.

9. 

   12 Aug 2024

   Is your business Visitor Ready?

   How to you make sure your business is compliant, safe and ready to welcome visitors? Have you ever thought about accreditations, star ratings and quality schemes but never got passed the first hurdle? In this special bonus episode, Jonny Chambers is joined by Simon Numphud from AA Media to talk about their brand new Visitor Ready accreditation scheme, a free initiative that helps businesses stay compliant and ready to welcome visitors. This special bonus episode forms part of Excellence and Quality month at Destination North East England, as we help businesses demonstrate their excellence, quality and compliance - from top tips on regulation and compliance, to getting the most out of your Destination North East England Tourism Awards entry! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy (https://acast.com/privacy) for more information.

10. 

    2 Aug 2024

    North East England Goes Global

    In this episode of Destination Digest, the all new podcast from England's first Destination Development Partnership (DDP), Jonny Chambers chats with Jennifer Huntley, Senior Partnerships Manager at international tourism body Visit Britain as we discuss how North East England's story is being told around the globe as part of the DDP's international amplification project. We uncover what the big opportunities are internationally to tell global visitors about the region as well as revealing some of the fantastic results the international amplification work has achieved in all four corners of the globe. Learn why the region is operating at a 'champion's league' level according to one influential travel expert and what going international means for your business here in the North East. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy (https://acast.com/privacy) for more information.

11. 

    3 Jul 2024

    The Visitor Data Deep Dive

    Welcome to the first episode of Destination Digest - our new, regular podcast series from England's first Destination Development Partnership Pilot - Destination North East England In this first episode, we're joined by Ian Thomas, director of visitor economy at NewcastleGateshead Initiative and one of the leads on the Destination North East England project. Ian has spent many years in the world of data and research for the tourism and hospitality space and joins host Jonny Chambers to crunch the numbers and discuss the importance of data, statistics and research. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy (https://acast.com/privacy) for more information.

Who has been a guest on Destination Digest

Names identified in recent episode analyses. Showing up to five guests.

• Shelley Johnson
• Caroline Reed
• Sarah Thackray

Podcast Authority Score: 7 / 100

A composite of feed quality, social presence, YouTube performance and engagement. Read the methodology.

Quality

13

Social presence

0

YouTube

0

Engagement

0