New resources for North Pennines tourism businesses

Tourism business in the North Pennines that are working towards reopening next month are being given access to new resources to help them promote their distinctive location to visitors.

The North Pennines AONB Partnership has launched a ‘tourism toolkit’ with marketing resources for accommodation providers, attractions and visitor-focused businesses. The online toolkit includes access to copyright-free images, example marketing copy, a seasonal wildlife diary, outdoor events guidance, a compendium of relevant social media links and an invitation to get involved with the North Pennines Tourism Network. These resources are designed to be used on an ongoing basis, but they will be particularly useful for tourism businesses who would like to refocus their marketing in the light of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Shane Harris, Responsible Tourism Lead with the North Pennines AONB Partnership, said: “The North Pennines is a fantastic place to visit – one of England’s most special places – a stunning upland landscape of wide-open moors, flower-rich hay meadows, intimate woods, inky-black night skies, charismatic wildlife, fascinating industrial heritage, tumbling rivers and dramatic waterfalls. The Tourism Toolkit is designed to help tourism businesses in their marketing communications – enabling them to really focus on what makes the area distinct, exciting and attractive to potential customers. As local businesses gear up to safely re-open under Government guidelines, we hope that the copyright-free images, marketing copy, logos and other resources will provide a ‘sparkle’ to entice responsible visitors back to the AONB and UNESCO Global Geopark – supporting their viability and contributing to the economic life of the North Pennines.”

Central to the toolkit are the North Pennines Locator Logos which help businesses, charities and individuals to benefit from being located in, or operating in, the North Pennines AONB and UNESCO Global Geopark. The logos help to identify the North Pennines as a great place to live, work and visit. Take up has been good with almost 100 businesses requesting access and using the logos.

Also included are assets relating to the Countryside Code. Tourism businesses are able to help promote responsible visiting with their guests and customers, particularly as we see many more people accessing the countryside following the COVID-19 restrictions. More information on responsible visiting is available at

The toolkit is free to gain access to and use – all businesses need to do is sign up to a Responsible Tourism Charter and complete a short (online) application form. The Charter () and the application form () are available on the North Pennines AONB Partnership website.

More information can be found at , or by contacting Shane Harris (Responsible Tourism Lead with the North Pennines AONB Partnership) via shane@northpenninesaonb.org.uk.