The Great North Targets £1.5 Billion Indian Tourism Market to Boost Growth Across Northern England
Mumbai, 16 October 2026: The North of England is joining forces under The Great North banner to attract a larger share of India’s growing outbound tourism market, positioning the region as a compelling destination for Indian travellers.
According to VisitBritain’s latest forecast, India’s inbound visitor market to the UK is expected to reach £1.5 billion by 2030, representing a 71% increase from 2026. This growth presents a significant opportunity for Northern England to attract more Indian visitors, encourage longer stays and increase tourism spending across its destinations.
The opportunity was highlighted during the first-ever joint North of England Mayoral trade mission to India. Northern Mayors, VisitBritain and tourism partners showcased the region’s collective tourism offerings to 150 leading Indian travel buyers and media representatives at events in New Delhi and Mumbai.
The initiative is part of the GREAT Britain & Northern Ireland Campaign, which promotes the UK internationally and drives economic growth through tourism, education, trade and investment.
By presenting a unified destination proposition, The Great North aims to encourage international visitors to explore beyond individual cities and discover the region’s diverse experiences, including world-class sport, music, culture, heritage, countryside, screen tourism and premium hospitality.
VisitBritain forecasts 597,000 visits from India to the UK in 2026, with visitors expected to spend £865 million. The Great North partnership aims to convert this growing demand into wider regional benefits by helping the Indian travel trade develop multi-destination itineraries that encourage visitors to explore more places and spend more time in Northern England.
The initiative will continue in November with Spotlight Manchester: Gateway to Northern England and North Wales, organised by VisitBritain and Marketing Manchester. Indian travel buyers and media will experience the region first-hand, creating opportunities to develop bookable itineraries and long-term trade partnerships.
Kim McGuinness, North East Mayor and Chair of The Great North, said the region offers Indian visitors an exceptional combination of vibrant cities, spectacular landscapes, Premier League football, international cricket, castles, culture and coastline. She emphasised that the partnership would help put Northern England on the international tourism map, translating growing interest into visitor bookings and lasting economic benefits for local communities.
Steve Rotheram, Mayor of the Liverpool City Region, highlighted Liverpool’s cultural heritage, The Beatles, its two Premier League football clubs and its internationally recognised music and arts scene. With a visitor economy generating almost £7 billion annually and supporting more than 58,000 local jobs, he said the partnership would help showcase the region’s distinctive experiences and encourage visitors to stay longer.
Tracy Brabin, Mayor of West Yorkshire, highlighted the region’s cultural attractions, from Brontë Country and its vibrant nightlife to the Hepworth and Hockney collections. She noted that tourism across Yorkshire, including screen tourism, contributes £9 billion annually, and said The Great North partnership would strengthen the region’s international appeal.
Patricia Yates, CEO of VisitBritain, said the organisation was working with Mayors, destinations and tourism businesses to showcase Northern England’s cities, heritage, landscapes, sporting venues and visitor experiences to one of India’s fastest-growing international markets. She emphasised that direct engagement with Indian travel buyers would help expand itineraries, increase bookings and encourage longer stays. Growing air connectivity between India and Manchester was also making regional destinations more accessible.
Francine Bult, Senior Marketing Executive at Cumbria Tourism, described the trade mission as an important opportunity to build direct relationships with Indian tour operators and equip them with the information needed to develop itineraries for 2027 and beyond. She highlighted the importance of international partnerships in sustaining the region’s visitor economy.
Angela Hodson, Commercial Director at Lancashire Cricket, highlighted India’s longstanding cricket connections with Manchester and the opportunities presented by major international fixtures scheduled at Emirates Old Trafford in 2028 and 2029. She also pointed to Manchester Super Giants’ participation in The Hundred, the venue’s hospitality and events offering, and its on-site Hilton Garden Inn as opportunities to attract Indian visitors and encourage longer stays.
Turning International Interest into Visits
As part of the trade mission, regional destinations and tourism businesses participated in the England’s Great North Destination Showcase 2026 in New Delhi and Mumbai.
Representatives from Marketing Manchester, Cumbria Tourism, Marketing Liverpool, West Yorkshire Local Visitor Economy Partnership and Experience NorthEast England joined tourism businesses and attractions to connect with Indian travel buyers and media. Discussions focused on developing bookable experiences and expanding multi-destination itineraries across Northern England.
The initiative will continue in November with Spotlight Manchester: Gateway to Northern England and North Wales, hosted by VisitBritain and Marketing Manchester. The programme will bring Indian travel buyers and media to the region to experience its tourism offerings and establish stronger relationships with local destinations and businesses.
By converting trade connections into market-ready itineraries and sustained commercial partnerships, The Great North aims to secure a greater share of international tourism growth while generating economic opportunities across Northern England.
The tourism initiative forms part of The Great North’s broader ambition to bring together the collective strengths of the region to compete internationally and unlock opportunities in tourism, trade and investment.
