Northern England’s world-class visitor experiences, cultural attractions and international connectivity will take centre stage in India this October as a landmark North of England Mayoral delegation visits the country.
The delegation will attend the ‘England’s Great North Destination Showcase 2026’ taking place in Delhi (12-13 October) and Mumbai (14-15 October), cities that together account for almost half of all visits from India to the UK.
Destinations including Marketing Manchester, Cumbria Tourism, Liverpool City Region Destination Partnership, West Yorkshire Local Visitor Economy Partnership and Experience North East England are joining the showcase alongside tourism businesses and attractions from across the North. Together they will meet 150 leading Indian travel buyers and media, converting growing interest in Northern England into bookable tourism products, new partnerships and expanded itineraries.
Supporting the tourism programme, Britain’s national tourism agency VisitBritain is working with Marketing Manchester and industry partners to showcase the North of England’s diverse visitor offer in India, strengthen tourism and trade links, and encourage more Indian visitors to explore destinations beyond London.
The ambition is to convert growing demand from India into economic growth across Northern England, inspiring visitors to discover more, stay longer and spend more across the region’s cities, countryside and coast.
VisitBritain CEO Patricia Yates said: “We are proud to be working alongside Mayors, destinations and industry leaders from across the North of England to support the tourism programme for the inaugural North of England Mayoral Delegation to India, one of our fastest growing markets.
“Drawing on our in-market expertise and relationships in India, we are telling the story of the North of England’s outstanding tourism offer, from its vibrant cities, rich heritage and spectacular scenery to world-class sporting grounds and visitor experiences. Working directly with the travel trade in India gets our products sold and broadens itineraries, so visitors explore further, stay longer and spend more.”
“Strong and growing air connectivity between India and the regional gateway of Manchester is making it easier than ever for visitors to discover more. With India forecast to become a £1.5 billion visitor market for the UK by 2030, our destination showcase event is a timely and valuable opportunity to drive growth and visitor spending across the region and beyond.”
Chair of The Great North, North East Mayor Kim McGuinness said: “The North of England has so much to be proud of and we want more people around the world to come and experience it for themselves. From our great cities and breathtaking coast and countryside, to our music, culture, food and world-famous sport, we have an incredible story to tell – and we want to make it easier for visitors to discover even more of England and everything the North has to offer.”
“India is a hugely important and growing visitor market, and this mission is about turning that opportunity into more visitors, new experiences and more money being spent in communities right across the North.”
Complementing the one-to-one business meetings, the ‘England’s Great North Destination Showcase 2026’ includes destination presentations, product seminars and networking events, providing a deeper dive for buyers into the North’s visitor offer and experiences that resonate with Indian visitors.
Delegates are showcasing bookable products spanning cricket, football and sporting tourism, culture and music, screen tourism, heritage attractions and premium travel experiences, converting interest in Northern England into bookings.
Building on connections made during the showcase, VisitBritain and Marketing Manchester are hosting Indian travel buyers and media in November for the ‘Spotlight Manchester: Gateway to Northern England and North Wales’ event, including educational visits. Promoting bookable experiences expands itineraries and strengthens trade partnerships to drive visits and visitor spending across the North.
