Self-catering holiday properties in North East England have had the best summer on record this year with occupancy levels up by 10% on 2008. From July to September 2009 the occupancy rates for self-catering properties was 85%, the highest it has ever been since Regional Development Agency, One North East, took over responsibility for tourism in 2003.

B&Bs and Guesthouses across the region have also seen an increase in occupancy levels this summer from 52% in 2008 to 59% this year.

There was a slight decrease in occupancy levels for hotels for July to September, which is consistent with the national picture. However, there was an increase in occupancy at hotels during August, a key month for tourism in the region.

The news comes after national tourist organisation VisitEngland announced that the number of holiday trips taken by UK residents to England in July this year was up by 40%, amounting to almost 2 million more holiday trips.

The value of online bookings, taken through the regional system, has also seen a dramatic increase this year, hitting £2.9m which is more than double the amount for the same period last year.

And it’s not just accommodation providers who are doing well. Many of the region’s attractions have also seen in an increase in visitor numbers this year. From January to July, Beamish Museum, Co Durham, has had just over 200,000 visitors an increase of 24% on last year, and for the same period Cragside House and Gardens in Northumberland has seen an increase of 28% to just under 200,000 visitors.

Two of the region’s newest attractions have also had a fantastic first year. Saltholme Wildlife Reserve and Discovery Park in Tees Valley has had more than 70,000 visitors since it opened at the beginning of the year, smashing its annual target of 35,000. And Great North Museum in Newcastle, which opened in May, has already welcomed its 500,000th visitor through the door.

Alan Clarke, chief executive of One North East, said: “2009 has been a challenging year for the region's economy, but the tourism industry has continued to see a growth with occupancy levels at many of the region's accommodation providers showing an increase on last year.

“And it’s not just people looking for a “cheap deal,” as occupancy levels for self-catering properties, costing £500 or more, during August, hit 97% this year, an increase of 13% on last year.

"And with continued private and public investment in tourism, the region can offer visitors an ever increasing, exciting and unique choice of things to do and places to stay.”

Figures also show that people are staying in the region longer with occupancy levels on the Sundays of both August Bank Holidays up by 10% on last year, with the average for the entire weekends up by 4% on last year.

Major events in the region also have an impact on occupancy levels. The Great North Run in September saw occupancy levels at hotels in Tyne & Wear go up by 9% this year from 76%-85% And those outside of Tyne & Wear also saw their occupancy rates go up by 7% from 74% - 81%.