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Fiona Dodd Graphic Designer at Go North East was part of the team working on the award-winning Big Days Out campaign. She collected Go North East's silver Innovation in Tourism accolade at the VisitEngland Awards for Excellence 2018
Fiona Dodd Graphic Designer at Go North East was part of the team working on the award-winning Big Days Out campaign. She collected Go North East's silver Innovation in Tourism accolade at the VisitEngland Awards for Excellence 2018

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VisitEngland awards silver to Go North East in national tourism celebration

Go North East’s commitment to making bus travel more appealing to families and tourists has been recognised at Monday’s (23rd April) VisitEngland Awards for Excellence 2018, after the region’s largest bus operator claimed the silver award for Innovation in Tourism.

Shortlisted against high-profile organisations including British Airways and the English Lake District China Forum, Go North East was commended for its Big Days Out campaign, at the afternoon ceremony held in the Bath Assembly Rooms.

The multi-faceted marketing campaign, which forged partnerships with regional tourist attractions including Ocean Beach Pleasure Park and MFA Bowl and utilised support from Go North East’s marketing partners including Beacon Creative, The Tonic Communications and via its parent company Go Ahead Plc, launched during the 2017 summer school holidays.

Using research into the motivators which encourage people to use the bus over other forms of transport, Big Days Out targeted families who aren’t typical bus users, with a reduced family day ticket price, down to £10 and, discounted rates and money off popular local attractions. As a result, Go North East saw a 69% year-on-year increase in family day ticket sales.

Stephen King, commercial director at Go North East who spearheaded the campaign, commented: “We are overjoyed to have been awarded silver at the prestigious VisitEngland Awards. We are extremely proud of our Big Days Out campaign which has proven particularly successful for us and our regional partners – so much so that we have extended the campaign into 2018.”

Sally Balcombe, CEO of VisitBritain and VisitEngland said: “The standard of the hundreds of applications we received this year was extremely high and that’s why Go North East’s accolade is a testament to their excellent work.

“These awards shine a spotlight on our fantastic tourism industry, with the winners showcasing the quality, innovation and excellence on offer throughout England and I warmly congratulate them on their impressive contribution to the tourism industry.”

For more information about Go North East, visit www.gonortheast.co.uk

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On the Go since 1913

Around 175,000 journeys are made on Go North East bus services every day to travel around this wonderful region. Travelling to work or education, to visit friends and family, to have a night out, or to visit one of the region's many tourist and leisure attractions.

For over 100 years, Go North East has connected the region's towns and villages with the cities of Newcastle, Durham and Sunderland and currently operates across Northumberland, Tyne and Wear, County Durham and into Tees Valley.

Employing over 2,000 local people, with a fleet of almost 700 buses and coaches and an annual turnover of £100m, the company is the regional subsidiary of the Go-Ahead Group plc, one of the UK's leading providers of passenger transport.

Go North East
117 Queen Street
NE8 2UA Gateshead