A campaign is aiming to get classic car and bike enthusiasts to visit the region.
The Tees Valley Tourism Board, covering Teesside, Hartlepool and Darlington, has been working on a package tour to persuade tourists from Northern Europe to visit the area.
P&O North Sea Ferries and Europe-based Isle of Man Travel have worked with the board to create the tour.
Two new ferries will be launched soon, bringing passengers from Rotterdam to Hull and increasing the number of passengers using daily crossings.
Julia Longbottom, Tees Valley tourism manager, said: "The time is now right to push the boat out ourselves and broadcast loud and clear the delights of the Tees Valley.
"In a very compact area, we can boast places such as Croft racing circuit and Teesside karting together with Chris Birkbeck's international rally school at Brotton - all of terrific interest to motoring enthusiasts."
Journalists from Holland and Germany have already been shown what is on offer and it is hoped the all-inclusive packages on offer soon with the ferry company will boost trips to the area.
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