Tourists return after epidemic

Tourists have returned to Northumberland

Northumberland's tourism industry has officially recovered from the foot-and-mouth crisis, new research reveals.

Latest figures show that 1.6 million tourists visited the County in 2002 - an increase of 250,000 on 2001, when the epidemic hit the north-east of England.

The study, by independent consultants Global Tourism Solutions and commissioned by Northumberland County Council, also highlights the full effects of the crisis.

During the epidemic, tourist numbers dropped by 130,000 and there were 850,000 fewer day visits to tourist attractions and the countryside.

The cost to the county has been put at £22m and the crisis led to 400 job losses.

But the county has rebounded from the downturn, with the tourism industry now worth £281m and employing some 8,300 people.

Major new marketing campaigns and other initiatives by the county council , such as Northumberland being the featured county at the Royal Show in Warwickshire, were successful in attracting more visitors.

Councillor Stuart McKellar, executive member for employment with Northumberland County Council, said: "The new research demonstrates once again the massive scale of the devastation caused by the foot-and-mouth epidemic.

"It also shows the success that can be achieved by agencies working together to promote Northumberland.

"The county council is proud of the contribution it has made towards the resurgence of our local tourism industry."