Churches Tourism Association

Newcastle Diocese of the Church of England set up a Tourism Task Group in 2006 to encourage and enable parishes to offer a ministry of welcome to visitors. Chaired by the Dean of Newcastle, the Very Revd Christopher Dalliston, its concern has been to enable the experience of visitors to be enhanced through a greater awareness of the Christian Heritage of the North East.

Activities have included 'visitor welcome' workshops, a Diocesan Synod Forum in March 2009, and production of practical advice such as How to encourage visitors on a spiritual journey (written by Eileen McLean) - see separate article here .

In March 2009 the Tourism Task Group produced Mission:Visitors - a guide for churches seeking to raise their profile in the tourism market place. This can be downloaded from here Promoting Your Church (Andrew Duff).

The work of this group is now being continued by Inspired North East.