(Image: Destination North East Eng;land/The Bigger Picture)
The North East's leading tourism attractions, hotels, restaurants and experiences are in the running for the region's top industry awards after a record number of entries were received.
The 2027 North East England Tourism Awards, delivered by Experience North East England in partnership with the national VisitEngland Awards for Excellence, celebrate the region’s visitor economy and have been recognising excellence in the sector for almost two and a half decades.
Kim McGuinness, North East Mayor, said: "We want more people to come here and experience all our region’s treasures, from our world-renowned history and heritage to our dramatic coastlines and beautiful countryside.
The 2026 grand finale held at Newcastle Civic Centre (Image: Destination North East Eng;land/The Bigger Picture)
"These incredible finalists represent the diverse array of experiences, places and people visitors will discover when they come here, and they show why North East England is such a fantastic, welcoming and unforgettable place to visit."
An independent panel of judges reviewed a record number of entries to shortlist the best accommodation providers, venues, eateries, attractions, and experiences across the region.
Finalists will now progress to a second round of judging, which includes either pre-announced or mystery shopper visits, before the winners are announced in spring 2027.
The 2026 grand finale held at Newcastle Civic Centre (Image: Destination North East Eng;land/The Bigger Picture)
The awards celebrate the businesses and people who help attract more than 69 million visitors to the North East each year, with a focus on customer service, innovation, and the quality experiences that make the region stand out.
Ian Thomas, interim chief executive of Experience North East England, said: "The North East England Tourism Awards offer us an opportunity to celebrate the incredible, hard-working businesses and people who make this industry tick and who work so hard to make every experience unforgettable for millions of visitors.
"It is fantastic to see yet another record-breaking number of entries and such a diverse array of businesses, of all shapes and sizes, represented.
The 2026 grand finale held at Newcastle Civic Centre (Image: Destination North East Eng;land/The Bigger Picture)
"These awards are all about celebrating the people, businesses and experiences that make our region such a special place to visit.
"As we work towards our ambition to double the value of the visitor economy, championing excellence and showcasing the quality and diversity of our sector has never been more important.
"A huge congratulations to all our 2027 finalists."
The 2026 grand finale held at Newcastle Civic Centre (Image: Destination North East Eng;land/The Bigger Picture)
Winning a North East England Tourism Award is widely regarded as a mark of excellence, with previous winners reporting increased bookings, visitor numbers, and greater visibility.
Winners will also have the chance to compete nationally at the VisitEngland Awards for Excellence in June 2027.
The awards programme includes business support opportunities, such as expert webinars and customer experience workshops, to help entrants develop and improve their offerings for visitors.
The 2026 grand finale held at Newcastle Civic Centre (Image: Destination North East Eng;land/The Bigger Picture)
The shortlist announcement coincides with the opening of entries for four additional categories designed to highlight even more of the region’s unique strengths.
These include Festival or Event of the Year and Rising Star of the Year, as well as two new categories: Cultural or Live Venue of the Year and Independent Business of the Year.
Entries for these categories are open until November 9 at 12 pm.
The 2026 grand finale held at Newcastle Civic Centre (Image: Destination North East Eng;land/The Bigger Picture)
The awards are led by Experience North East England in partnership with Visit Northumberland, Visit County Durham, and NewcastleGateshead Local Visitor Economy Partnerships (LVEPs), as well as all seven of the region’s local authorities.
This year’s finalists include venues, attractions, and businesses from across the region.
In the Accessible and Inclusive Tourism category, Dalton Park Outlet & Outdoors (County Durham), Newcastle United Football Club (Tyne & Wear), and the Roman Army Museum & Magna Fort (Northumberland) have all been shortlisted.
Crowne Plaza Newcastle - Stephenson Quarter, The Catalyst, and The Glasshouse International Centre for Music (all Tyne & Wear), along with Event Durham at Durham University, have been named finalists in the Business Events Venue of the Year category.
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Clear Sky Lodge Park & Clear Sky Caravan Motorhome Park, Hadrian’s Wall Campsite, and Herding Hill Farm (all Northumberland) are shortlisted for Camping, Glamping & Holiday Park of the Year.
Other finalists include Blackfriars Cookery School (Tyne & Wear) and Curius Compass (Northumberland), while Alnwick Castle, Auckland Palace and Gardens, and Beamish, The Living Museum of the North are among those recognised in the Large Visitor Attraction of the Year category.
The full shortlist is available on the Experience North East England website.