Intern Delivering Results in the Tyne Valley

Tyne Valley Community Rail Partnership’s (TVCRP) Tourism Development Intern has taken the area by storm following a recent presentation in front of over 100 local businesses.
Matthew Barrett, appointed September 2018 from Northumbria University, was introduced to the partnership to strengthen the knowledge of tourism in the area, as well as develop new relationships with visitor attractions.

Since Matthew’s appointment TVCRP now have a collection of detailed reports relating to travel and tourism along the route, he’s updating the TVCRP website and in the process of planning the
partnership’s biggest Community Rail in the City event to date, set to be held in May at Glasgow Central Station.

Arguably his biggest achievement so far was presenting the report he put together ‘How to Improve Tourism by Rail’ at the annual Hadrian’s Wall Partnership Conference Day, hosted by Lady Jane Gibson.

John Scott, Hadrian’s Wall Management Plan Coordinator, said of Matthew’s achievement ‘The work Matthew has produced will certainly improve the marketing of visiting attractions by public transport. After I read the report I knew the delegates at the conference would be very interested in the results, as well as it being an opportunity for Matthew to present to a large audience, of which I know he was very nervous about doing so! The information produced is certainly unique and will change people’s mindset in how we promote the area going forward’.

Fiona Forsythe, TVCRP Officer, has heavily praised Matthew’s recent work ‘Following the
presentation of Matthew’s paper at the conference we now have a World Heritage Site and
Transport Group being formed. Matthew’s positive and can-do attitude has meant he’s developed his public speaking skills and brought together the community. We have to thank CrossCountry for funding the post through the Community Engagement Fund and making all this possible’.