What We Do

The North East has a unique blend of history, culture and natural beauty from Newcastle’s vibrant city centre, to Northumberland’s charming market towns and countryside, to the stunning coastline spanning from North Tyneside to the Scottish Borders. It is home to some of the UK’s most popular events and the thriving tourism trade attracts visitors from all over the world.

The North of Tyne Combined Authority (NTCA) works in partnership with regional Destination Management Organisations; Visit Northumberland, NewcastleGateshead Initiative, and North Tyneside Council, as well as the region’s local authorities, to invest into the tourism ecosystem encouraging visitors to stay longer, do more and spend more.

The NTCA has proudly supported a diverse range of cultural events which include:

• Great North Run 2021 – The Great North Run is the biggest half marathon in the UK with over 57,000 runners taking part in the iconic event.

• North of the Tyne, Under the Stars – North of the Tyne, Under the Stars was a series of spellbinding outdoor events held in 2022, produced by Pinwheel and DAT Events and commissioned by the North of Tyne Combined Authority. The visual story telling was inspired by local stories and landscapes from across Newcastle, Northumberland and North Tyneside. Encapsulating spectacular projection, fire and music, the event.

• North Sea Weekender – Thousands of people attended the 2022 North Sea Weekender which was held along the stunning North Tyneside coast. Activities included the Tynemouth Surf Open, an opportunity to participate in a range of water sports, pop-up food and drink stalls and live music event.

• Rugby League World Cup 2022 – The Rugby League World Cup 2022 started in Newcastle and brought a cultural festival to kickstart the tournament. Ahead of the opening fixture at St James Park, an outdoor performance brought the Rugby League World Cup onto the streets of Newcastle. This specially commissioned free show, featured dance, music and aerial performance, tells three unique stories about the game and its people, charting how it has evolved from its roots to the sport it is today.

• Lindisfarne Gospels – The Lindisfarne Gospels’ celebrates the most spectacular surviving manuscript from early medieval Britain. The exhibition ran from September to December 2022 and attracted over 56,000 visitors.