Manchester tour guide launches new North West venture as football and concert tourism booms

Experienced local tour expert Jack Traynor has launched a new Manchester-based venture to offer a range of sporting, cultural and industrial history tours to visitors as sport and music tourism to the region continues to increase visitor numbers.

Traynor, who has been a local tour guide since he studied at Manchester Metropolitan University has launched NorthernTours.co.uk to offer football, music, TV and industrial tours to Manchester and other towns and cities across the North West, and further afield.

“The North West has such a rich heritage that people want to learn about when they visit for work or leisure, especially the football tourists and groups visiting the region for big concerts and events,” commented Traynor, who has conducted more than 250 tours in the last 3 years for over 4,500 visitors to Manchester from all over the world.

“NorthernTours.co.uk is launching with a number of football history tours that give visitors a local’s perspective on the biggest clubs and the part they have played in the lives of people who live here for 150 years or so.  As well as these, we are offering music and cultural walking tours of Liverpool and Manchester that take people through the region’s place in UK popular music, dance, film and TV heritage that is increasingly appreciated by visitors,” he added.

According to Statista, international visitors to Manchester rose to over 1.7 million in 2023, making the city the third most popular tourism destination after London and Edinburgh.

“The rise of overseas gig tourism in recent years is a great source of additional visitors to the region, and Liverpool, Manchester City and Manchester United are all magnets for visiting football and soccer fans from all over the world. We can also create bespoke experiences for visitors based on their specific interests,” he said.

“To be able to welcome people from all over the world and help them learn more about the history that only locals can know is really rewarding. Hopefully it makes them remember the region more fondly as well, and increases the chances that they will come back again,” he added.

Eventually, the business aims to add tours to other tourism hotspots including the Peak District National Park, Wrexham and the Lake District. Further information can be found at NorthernTours.co.uk