Newcastle is gearing up to host the prestigious X. Design Week (XDW) 2025, an international conference that will bring together hundreds of global leaders in digital tourism. The city will stage the event in June, following in the footsteps of previous editions held in cities such as Cologne, Valencia, and Athens.
Scheduled from June 3rd to June 6th, the conference will provide a platform for businesses to explore the latest trends and technologies, including artificial intelligence, digital innovation, and immersive storytelling within the tourism industry. XDW 2025 is supported by Destination North East England, the region’s first Destination Development Partnership. This pilot initiative is spearheaded by the NewcastleGateshead Initiative, working with delivery partners Visit Northumberland, Visit County Durham and in partnership with the North East Combined Authority and all seven local authorities, to unlock growth potential of the visitor economy.
XDW 2025 will take place at The Catalyst, located in Newcastle’s Helix district. The event aims to unite global leaders in digital tourism, creative professionals, and visitor economy strategists to shape the future of the tourism sector.
To encourage participation from local businesses, Destination North East England has collaborated with the organizers at Digital Tourism Think Tank to offer discounted rates, ensuring that North East visitor economy professionals with interests in digital, creative, and technology can attend.
Regional leaders have applauded the decision to host the international event, facilitated by support from the NewcastleGateshead Convention Bureau. They see this as a significant achievement for the region. The four-day conference will showcase the area’s historical industrial strengths while also highlighting its future as a global innovation center.
According to Ian Thomas, chief operating officer at NewcastleGateshead Initiative: “As the region continues to evolve as an internationally recognised hub for creativity and innovation, the chance to host XDW 2025 in Newcastle reaffirms our commitment to being an innovative, forward-thinking destination with huge ambition. Destination North East England’s partnership work has been a catalyst for change and through the inspiring talks, hands-on learning and the countless connections that will be made in June, I am incredibly excited that our businesses, academia and our thriving creative community get to play a key part in the future of tourism. “I am also delighted to be working alongside Digital Tourism Think Tank to offer our businesses a special discount to attend, ensuring we get as many diverse voices and expertise in the room as possible.”
The event has also secured a partnership with TXGB, a tourism technology solutions provider. James Berzins, managing director of TXGB, commented: “XDW 2025 is about turning innovation into real opportunities for tourism businesses. By connecting destinations and experience providers with the right digital tools, we can help them reach new audiences, streamline operations and drive sustainable growth. We’re excited to be part of this event, helping to shape the future of tourism through smarter, more connected distribution.”
Nick Hall, CEO of Digital Tourism Think Tank, added: “XDW 2025 is designed to be an immersive and hands-on format, bringing together industry leaders, creatives and digital pioneers to engage in dynamic and collaborative discussions. We’ll create an environment that fosters innovation and accelerates the adoption of transformative ideas, building actionable strategies to navigate the future of tourism.”
