Jobs and Enterprise

Version 5, September 2008

Tourism in South Tyneside

South Tyneside is a well-established destination for visitors. With spectacular cliffs, secret coves and pristine golden sands together with picturesque villages and bustling towns no wonder the area attracts visitors year after year.

South Tyneside has a huge range of splendid attractions for its many visitors. It is at the heart of British history: our fascinating heritage has been beautifully preserved on the banks of the Tyne at Bede’s World and within the splendour of South Shields Museum and Art Gallery. Our Roman past has also been stunningly recreated at Arbeia Roman Fort and Museum, whilst our rich maritime heritage is celebrated at Souter Lighthouse.

The old is complemented by the new in South Tyneside, with new and vibrant town centres, revitalised riverfronts, an attractive seafront and innovative contemporary art. South Tyneside also offers fantastic nightlife, dining and shopping opportunities and for those who want to stay, there is welcoming accommodation to suit all tastes and budgets.

Add to this an exciting events programme and some of the finest cycling and walking trails in the region and you will see why South Tyneside is so popular.

Please find below some information on the volume and value of tourism in South Tyneside.

For further information on tourism in South Tyneside please contact the Tourism Development Section on 0191 424 7971 or e-mail tourism@southtyneside.gov.uk

Economic impact of tourism

In 2007 a tourism economic impact model called STEAM was commissioned and this provided an estimate of visitor spend in the borough. It was estimated that in 2006,visitors spent £219 million in the borough. This was a 2% increase on spend in 2005.

Tourism is a labour intensive industry and it is estimated that there are approximately 4,235 Full Time Equivalent Jobs in the tourism sector in South Tyneside.

Research is currently being commissioned to examine the volume and value of tourism in 2007, again using the STEAM economic impact model.

Trends in Tourism

The volume of tourism has shown, on the whole, an increase during the period 2003 – 2008.

On a regular basis South Tyneside Council’s tourism team collate and analyse occupancy levels within South Tyneside’s serviced accommodation providers.  Table 1 shows the findings of our occupancy survey.

Table 1: Serviced Accommodation Occupancy Levels in South Tyneside
April 03 – March 04 April 04 – March 05 April 05 – March 06 April 06 – March 07 April 07-March 08
Serviced Accommodation Occupancy Levels 45.6% bed
67.5% room		 50.3% bed
68.7% room		 51% bed
71% room		 49% bed
68% Room		 N/A

South Tyneside Council’s tourism team also measure visitor figures to South Shields seafront and examine visitor numbers to the borough’s key attractions and to Tourist Information Centres.

As Table 2 illustrates, on the whole there has been an upward growth in visitor figures during this period. Please note that during the period of study attractions and the borough’s tourist information centres have been closed for refurbishment and experienced cut-backs in opening times.

The hot weather of 2003 and the wet weather during the summer of 2007 have to be taken into consideration too.

Table One: Visitor Numbers at South Tyneside Attractions
April 2002 – March 2003 April 03 – March 04 April 04 – March 05 April 05 – March 05 April 06 – March 07 April 07 – March 08
Seafront visitors 1,300,590 1,674,448 1,407,441 1,418,924 1,590,231 1,563,063
Bede’s World 54,784 60,934
(Oct to Dec not inc)		 58,993 67,450 65,076 77,066
Arbeia Roman Fort 101,195 95,648 97,409 98,381 79,285 76,793
Souter Lighthouse 20,395 25,820 25,678 17,945
(Sep to Nov not incl.)		 21,321 23,917
South Shields Museum & Art Gallery 105,557* 87,500* 170,262 142,093 177,409 167,541
TIC Visitors 52,173** 54,371** 170,262*** 163,074*** 190,811*** 180,795***

Source: South Tyneside Council
*Museum closed September 2002 to February 2004 for redevelopment
**Museum closed for redevelopment and operating hours of Foreshore TIC reduced
*** Reduced TIC hours compared to previous year
^ Visitor figures for Souter Lighthouse Sept to Nov 2005 unavailable
~ Includes an estimate of Mouth of the Tyne Festival visitor numbers

Satisfaction with Tourism in South Tyneside

South Tyneside Council's tourism team carry out annual surveys at events and within the destination looking at the profile of visitors and satisfaction levels. Satisfaction levels each year are in the range 97% to 100%. The research also indicates a high level of repeat visitors.

The council carry out satisfaction surveys amongst South Tyneside’s tourism businesses on a yearly basis. This survey asks them how they feel business has been and how they feel it will be in the future, which typically shows quite high optimism levels. 

The survey also asks tourism businesses how they would rate the tourism activities of the council. Again, these satisfaction levels are very high, with 100% satisfaction recorded over the past two years.

 

For further information and statistics please contact South Tyneside Council’s tourism team on 0191 424 7971 or email tourism@southtyneside.gov.uk

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