Latest figures from the Countryside Agency demonstrate that more than 35 million people took day trips to the North East last year.
An additional 22 million spent days in coastal towns, villages and attractions and a quarter of a million people were attracted to the North East's beaches alone.
Day-trippers to the North East spend around £330 million annually, boosting the region's economy.
However, the agency believes the region is the UK's "best kept secret," and that it should expect to attract more visitors in the future.
"This survey shows the important part that the day trips we all enjoy to our cities, towns, countryside and coast play in generating much-needed jobs and income," Huw Davies, regional director of the Countryside Agency in the North East told the BBC.
"Although we have a comparatively low population in the North East from which to attract day visitors, it is clear that the countryside is an important contributor to the economic health of the region.
"These visits play a particularly vital part in rural communities, where nearly £10 billion was spent during the year throughout England's rural areas.
"However, there is still plenty of work to be done if we are to get our message across and draw more people out into our beautiful countryside to spend their money." |
