In a move that bridges the Tyne and touches the world, North East England has opened its digital doors to international travel agents with a groundbreaking new initiative—a Virtual Familiarisation Tour. The tour is designed to whisk the trade on a whirlwind journey through one of Britain’s most overlooked but utterly glorious regions. And it’s all just a click away.
Spearheaded by Destination North East England (DNEE), the virtual fam trip is a savvy and strategic bid to introduce the region’s rugged coastline, historic castles, culinary surprises, and luxury stays to a global audience of online travel agents (OTAs), tour operators, and group travel planners. Think Downton Abbey meets drone footage, with a bit of Geordie charm thrown in for good measure.
🎥 And speaking of Geordie charm, who better to lend his voice to the project than the region’s own Dan Pye—an acclaimed voice actor and the unmistakable tones behind the beloved Lost Voice Guy. His warm narration adds character to a compelling video package designed to woo the world.
“This is an innovative way of bringing the North East to the travel trade,” says Alex MacKenzie, Travel Trade Manager for DNEE. “We wanted to develop a way of showing off this wonderful region to a wider audience… It will increase their knowledge and confidence in being able to sell the region to their customers.”
And how. With its emotive narration and rich visuals, the video doesn’t just describe the destination—it invites you in. Viewers can wander Hadrian’s Wall, gaze across the windswept beaches of Bamburgh, dine in Newcastle’s thriving food scene, or luxuriate in a stately manor—all without ever leaving their laptop.
The purpose? Twofold. Firstly, to equip international travel sellers with a crisp, confident grasp of what’s on offer across the North East—from family adventures to FIT (fully independent traveller) gems. Secondly, to set the stage for future in-person fam trips and trade relationships, making that all-important “first impression” long before anyone sets foot in Newcastle Airport.
Already, the video is being dispatched to global travel trade partners, with early focus on key growth markets including Germany, the Nordics (Sweden, Norway, Denmark), the Gulf Cooperation Council (Dubai and Saudi Arabia), and Asia-Pacific.
🌏 But there’s more to this than merely digital dazzle. The fam trip is part of a bigger, bolder campaign by Destination North East England—led by the NewcastleGateshead Initiative in collaboration with Visit Northumberland and Visit County Durham—to finally cement the region’s rightful place on international itineraries. And the timing couldn’t be better.
As travel agents around the world reconfigure their offerings post-COVID and respond to travellers’ hunger for “authentic” and “unspoiled” destinations, the North East, with its unvarnished landscapes, proud industrial heritage, and deeply rooted traditions, is hitting all the right notes.
“Once they see the fantastic opportunities and experiences featured in this tour,” MacKenzie adds, “we’re confident travel agents will be inspired to start building bespoke itineraries with our regional businesses.”
📈 The strategy is as practical as it is poetic. The video is already used at global travel trade shows and sales meetings, serving as a conversation starter and a deal closer. Even better, trade buyers can share it during their product training sessions, arming them with the tools to sell the North East with confidence and clarity.
💼 North East businesses aren’t left out either. The video is now available to regional operators, helping them pitch their experiences to the travel trade or bolster their sales presentations with stunning, professionally produced visuals.
In a truly inclusive move, the DNEE Travel Trade website has expanded its accessibility by going multilingual. It now serves content in Dutch, German, Spanish, French, Italian, Japanese, Mandarin, and Arabic, acknowledging the polyglot nature of global trade and making it easier than ever for buyers to plug into the North East narrative.
🌟 As the icing on the digital cake, a series of themed itineraries is being rolled out, with the first—a sumptuous luxury travel plan—already live on the website. Future itineraries will spotlight niche markets such as heritage travel, culinary journeys, group adventures, and nature escapes.
Ultimately, this is not just a video—it’s a vision—a confident, compelling invitation to rediscover a corner of England that has long been overlooked by the international jet set but never forgotten by those who know her well. The North East isn’t just a destination—it’s a feeling. And thanks to this virtual fam trip, that feeling is finally going global.
🔗 For more information or to view the virtual tour, visit: https://www.ngi.org.uk/ddp/.
By Michelle Warner
