Inbound Tourism?! - Interesting angle! Well, before the points made by Tonker are dismissed let's consider our region's assets for tourism. Americans love History & Heritage. I've recently returned from New York, having done the Tours! The Guides on 2 trips were fascinated to know Washington Old Hall (Tyne & Wear) is the ancestoral home of the George Washinton family and could not understand why we don't promote the area of outstanding coastline, Lake District, Durham / Cathedral, Bamburgh/Alnwick(Harry Potter? Castles, Beamish Open Air museum (maybe re-located from original locations eg Annfield plain Co-op - but still original!) Americans would love Fly-Drive breaks in the region (Driving on the "wrong" side of the road and trying out a "Stick-Shift" gearbox!) They love regional accents! Why not fly to Newcastle and return from Edinburgh? - I often fly BA via Heathrow to Orlando or Tampa then return from Miami, having visited the Florida Keys after some days in Orlando and Gold Coast. Problem is no agency or tourist body is communicating this with brochures, websites suggested iteneries etc.... Would be interesting to see all interested parties e.g. Airport, Car Hire Companies, Regional Development, Hotels etc.. work together on this. Not all Americans want to return to London, having visited the capital on previous visits. But, they also, do not want to come to a region without clear itineraries, detailing POI and driving times/distances etc... to maximise their visit.