Industrial Tourism on Teesside

Industrial Tourism is wholly achievable for development & growth in Teesside.

Our prime geographical location in the North East of England could embrace many opportunities in this growing trend of Tourism. Experiences and accommodation for trade envoys, corporate interest or even a quirky family vacation could be practically created & implemented on Teesside.

Teesside has a rich industrial history and is home to various industrial sites and landmarks that can be of interest to tourists. Implementing industrial tourism can offer visitors unique insights into the region's industrial heritage, culture, and economic significance.

Here are some ways industrial tourism can be implemented on Teesside:

• Industrial Heritage Tours: Organise guided tours (Jurassic Park stylie) to industrial sites with historical significance, such as former steelworks, shipyards, and chemical plants. These tours can provide visitors with insights into the region's industrial past and its impact on the local community.

• Industrial Museums and Visitor Centres: Establish museums and visitor centres dedicated to showcasing Teesside's industrial history, technological advancements, and contributions to various industries.

• Heritage Trails and Walking Tours: Develop heritage trails and walking tours that take visitors through significant industrial landmarks and offer opportunities to learn about the region's industrial development.

• Educational Programs: Offer educational programs and workshops for schools and students, focusing on the industrial history and innovations of Teesside.

• Boat Tours and Waterway Visits: Utilise the Tees River and its surrounding waterways to provide boat tours that showcase industrial sites and the fantastic array of bridges along the riverbanks.

• Cultural and Arts Events: Organise cultural events, art exhibitions, and festivals that celebrate Teesside's industrial heritage, incorporating local artists and performers.

• Industrial-themed Accommodations: Design and promote accommodations with an industrial theme, creating a unique and immersive experience for tourists. There is an opportunity to fund two railway themed hotels, based in Darlington and Stockton near to each station. This would give a novel experience to travellers who are passionate about Rail Travel.

• Hands-on Experiences: Offer interactive experiences, such as workshops, where visitors can engage in industrial processes or craft activities related to Teesside's industrial history

• Collaboration with Local Industries: Partner with existing industries to provide behind-the-scenes tours, allowing visitors to see modern industrial processes in action. This also would work in showcasing the Net Zero progress in the Tees Valley, viewing the wind farm's majestic turbines off the Redcar coast. An itinerary could be built around a professional boat tour... what a fantastic immersive way to learn about the environment and encourage pride around our achievement

• Promotion and Marketing: Promote Teesside's industrial tourism offerings through marketing campaigns, social media, and collaboration with travel agencies and tour operators.

To implement industrial tourism successfully, collaboration among local businesses, tourism boards, historical societies, and local authorities is essential.

Additionally, ensuring safety and respecting the working conditions of current industries is crucial when offering tours or experiences related to active industrial sites.

Industrial tourism can help preserve and celebrate Teesside's industrial heritage while also contributing to the local economy by attracting visitors and generating tourism-related revenue. By offering engaging and informative experiences, Teesside can establish itself as a unique destination for tourists interested in exploring industrial history and innovation.

Places around the world that have already implemented Industrial Tourism.

United Kingdom: The UK has a rich industrial heritage, and many former industrial sites have been converted into museums and tourist attractions. Cities like Manchester, Birmingham, and Sheffield have industrial tourism offerings.

Germany: Germany has a strong industrial background and is known for its engineering and manufacturing history. Places like the Ruhr region and the German Museum of Technology in Berlin attract industrial tourists.

United States: The US has several industrial sites turned into tourist destinations, such as the Henry Ford Museum in Michigan, which showcases the history of American innovation and manufacturing.

Japan: Japan has a significant industrial heritage, and cities like Nagoya, Osaka, and Yokohama offer industrial tours that explore the country's technological advancements.

China: With rapid industrialisation, China has many modern industrial sites that attract tourists interested in seeing cutting-edge technology and manufacturing processes.

Belgium: Industrial tourism is popular in Belgium, especially in regions like Wallonia, where former coal mines and steel plants have been transformed into tourist attractions.

Spain: The Basque Country and Catalonia are known for their industrial heritage, with old factories now housing museums and cultural centres.

Australia: Cities like Melbourne and Newcastle have embraced their industrial history and offer tours of old factories and industrial sites.