The finalists for the North East England Tourism Awards (NEETA) 2024 have been revealed, showcasing the diverse and innovative businesses in the region – including some of our best pubs and restaurants.
With 14 award categories, the NEETAs celebrate the best hotels, attractions and individuals who exemplify the region’s vibrant visitor economy.
The awards will be held in spring next year with many of the winners going on to represent the region at the VisitEngland Awards for Excellence, giving tourism business the opportunity to shine and represent our region on a national stage.
The Beresford Arms in Whalton, The Joiners Arms at Newton-by-the-Sea and The Twice Brewed Inn at Bardon Mill will compete for the Pub of the Year title.
Meanwhile, the Taste of North East England prize will go to either Blackfriars in Newcastle, Whitley Bay’s Spanish City, The Old Boathouse at Amble or The Lord Crewe in Bamburgh.
Sarah Green, chief executive of NGI, said: “Congratulations to the businesses and individuals who have been named as finalists, we look forward to celebrating with them at the awards ceremony next year. Tourism is without doubt a huge asset for the region’s economy and as the first government-funded regional tourism pilot we have set ourselves the ambitious target to double the size of the sector in the next 10 years – creating more jobs, driving innovation, ensuring an accessible and inclusive welcome for all and creating year-round demand. As part of the pilot we are working closely with the businesses at the heart of our visitor economy to deliver a business support programme to ensure the sector can reach its full potential. Businesses such as these announced today are key to raising that profile and achieving those targets.”
North East England Tourism Awards 2024 shortlist
Accessible and Inclusive Tourism Award
Northumberland National Park, Northumberland
Seventeen Nineteen, Sunderland
Spectrum Holidays, Northumberland
The Alnwick Garden, Northumberland
Vindomora Country Lodges, Northumberland
Business Events Venue of the Year
Crowne Plaza Newcastle Stephenson Quarter, Newcastle
Event Durham, Durham University, Durham
Newcastle Civic Centre, Newcastle
Camping, Glamping and Holiday Park of the Year
Hadrian’s Wall Campsite, Northumberland
Woodland Chase Glamping, Northumberland
Vindomora Country Lodges, Northumberland
Ethical, Responsible and Sustainable Tourism Award
Dalton Park, Durham
Northumberland Zoo, Northumberland
Kidlandlee Holiday Cottages, Northumberland
Experience of the Year
Athey’s Moor Flying School, Northumberland
Blackfriars Cookery School, Newcastle
CBK Adventures, North Tyneside
Serenity Farne Islands Boat Tours, Northumberland
Large Hotel of the Year
Hotel Indigo Durham, Durham
Matfen Hall Hotel, Northumberland
Rockliffe Hall Hotel, Durham
Large Visitor Attraction of the Year
Beamish, The Living Museum of the North, Durham
Hall Hill Farm, Northumberland
Northumberland Zoo, Northumberland
Whitehouse Farm Centre, Northumberland
Ushaw Historic House Chapel and Gardens, Durham
New Tourism Business of the Year
Hiddle Hut, Northumberland
Holiday Inn Sunderland, Sunderland
Seventeen Nineteen, Sunderland
Pub of the Year
The Beresford Arms Whalton, Northumberland
The Joiners Arms, Northumberland
The Twice Brewed Inn, Northumberland
Self-catering accommodation of the Year
Chesters Stables, Northumberland
Honeybee Cottage, Northumberland
Kidlandlee Holiday Cottages, Northumberland
Vindomora Country Lodges, Northumberland
Small Hotel of the Year
Langley Castle Hotel, Northumberland
Seaham Hall, Durham
South Causey Inn, Durham
Small Visitor Attraction of the Year
Falconry Days, Northumberland
Kielder Observatory, Northumberland
The Spanish Gallery, The Auckland Project, Durham
Taste of North East England
Blackfriars Restaurant, Newcastle
Spanish City, North Tyneside
The Old Boathouse, Northumberland
The Lord Crewe, Bamburgh, Northumberland
Unsung Hero
Michelle Kindleysides (Beamish, The Living Museum of the North), Durham
Duncan Wise (Northumberland National Park), Northumberland
Michael Wortley (Stephenson Steam Railway), North Tyneside
