TOURISM chiefs hope to welcome more Spanish visitors to the region.
The Newcastle Gateshead Initiative sent a delegation to Barcelona, capital of the Catalan region, for an international travel fair at the weekend.
Chief executive Andrew Dixon said it was an important opportunity to promote Tyneside as a vibrant city break destination to thousands of Spaniards.
The delegation included two workers from Newcastle tourist information centre, Danielle Brady and Margaret Souter, who are learning Spanish at Northumbria University.
The free courses are financed by the European Social Fund and the Learning and Skills Council and also include French and German.
Dr Lesley Twomey, principal lecturer in Hispanic studies at the university, said: "The number of tourists visiting the North-East from France, Germany and Spain is increasing rapidly with the growth in scheduled flights to both the North-East airports.
"As a region, it is vital that we make a good impression in these growing markets, and for anyone working in tourism, this is the ideal opportunity to learn how to welcome visitors and engage with them in their own language."
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