Destination management organisation
Welcome to Visit County Durham - the tourism management agency for County Durham which works on behalf of businesses and public agencies to support the growth and development of the county's visitor economy.
Visit County Durham has strategic responsibility for tourism and performs the functions of destination management and marketing in the county. Many others are involved in delivering a vibrant visitor economy, one organisation cannot do it alone, which is why we are a partnership.
Our aim is to place the visitor at the heart of everything we do.
Destination performance
17.91m
(Visitors Annually)
4.6m
(75 Attractions)
9%
(Overnight Stays)
11,724
(Jobs Within the Industry)
£1.04bn
(Annual Income)
Latest news
Popular TV chefs to star at Seaham Food Festival
16 May 2024
Two popular TV presenters are among the first celebrity chefs to be announced for Seaham Food Festival. The Durham County Council-run festival will return to Seaham’s coastline on Saturday 3 and Sunday 4 August, with two days packed with celebrity cookery demonstrations, street entertainment, and a spectacular selection of food from hundreds of the region’s […]
Read More about Popular TV chefs to star at Seaham Food FestivalVisitEngland joins forces with AccessAble to promote new tourism accessibility guides
16 May 2024
VisitEngland is working with AccessAble to support hospitality and tourism businesses across England to provide detailed descriptions of their venue accessibility for visitors. Through AccessAble’s new Your Accessibility Guide portal, businesses can book and pay for either a guided or on-site assessment of their venue, where a professional surveyor will create a quality-assured Detailed Access […]
Read More about VisitEngland joins forces with AccessAble to promote new tourism accessibility guidesNominate your Tourism Superstar
15 May 2024
A reminder to nominate your Durham Tourism Superstar by Friday 7th June. Delivered in association with The Northern Echo, the award recognises the dedication and passion of those working in Durham's tourism industry and showcases the best in customer service offered to visitors to the county. If you haven't already, nominate your Durham Tourism Superstar today.
Read More about Nominate your Tourism SuperstarSuppliers to industry
n-gage.io
The all-in-one, cloud based attraction management software and audience mobile app, helping the global attraction, leisure & entertainment industry to enhance audience engagement, gain valuable insights & drive revenues. Built from the ground up for the experience economy, the n-gage.io platform and mobile visitor app is helping attractions of all sizes and types to simplify their approach […]
Read More about n-gage.ioStroodles
Stroodles is an Eco Tableware company, famous for its pasta straws, featured on Dragons Den, BBC Good Food, Unilad, and many more. The Stroodles portfolio also includes edible biscuit spoons and stirrers, edible wafer cups, eco wheat bran plates, biscuit bowls and saucers. The Alchemist, de Longhi, Marriott, Hilton and Selfridges are already stroodling Stroodles […]
Read More about StroodlesArty, Inc
Gavin Selby - Creative Designer, Photographer and Filmmaker. Gavin has over 18 years experience within the creative arts and is highly passionate about Graphic Design, Photography, Filmmaking, Video Editing and Animation. Trading under the name Arty, Inc. he works closely with local businesses, authorities and groups to create bespoke content for their online presence (Social Media and search […]
Read More about Arty, IncWL Distillery
WL Distillery is a North East based Gin Distillery, combining our passion for gin and the great outdoors by creating authentic tasting gins made with specially selected ingredients. Our recently released First Edition Gin inspired by our distillers Grandads Garden has been crafted to take you on a taste journey of the North East. Combining […]
Read More about WL DistilleryVisit County Durham latest
VCD Blog - Celebrating International Women’s Day 2024
Today (Friday 8 March) is International Women’s Day, a global celebration of the social, economic, cultural and political achievements of women. It is a chance to reflect on the remarkable feats of women, past and present, while also recognising the amazing women we encounter in our own personal and professional lives. Ultimately, International Women’s Day […]
Read More about VCD Blog - Celebrating International Women’s Day 2024VCD Blog - Working together for Durham and the North East
At Visit County Durham we are proud to be a part of a proactive network of regional partners working together to promote and develop Durham and North East England as destinations. As one of the three Local Visitor Economy Partnerships piloting England’s first Destination Development Partnership, we work closely with NewcastleGateshead Initiative and Visit Northumberland, […]
Read More about VCD Blog - Working together for Durham and the North EastA destination for all: Accessibility takes centre stage at tourism conference
Ensuring an excellent welcome for all visitors was the key theme of Visit County Durham’s 2023 Industry Conference.
Read More about A destination for all: Accessibility takes centre stage at tourism conferenceResearch reveals Memorable Moments marketing campaign generated millions in visitor spend
Visit County Durham’s national destination marketing campaign, Memorable Moments, generated £86.6 million in visitor spend, research has revealed.
Read More about Research reveals Memorable Moments marketing campaign generated millions in visitor spendSocial wall
Have you thought about becoming a partner with Visit County Durham?
Our Partnership brings benefits through promoting and developing any type or size of business.
Don't just take our word for it, take a look at some of our fantastic reviews here 👇
...https://www.visitcountydurham.org/testimonials/
If you would like to know more or sign up, you can contact us here 👇 https://www.visitcountydurham.org/partnership-overview/
Durham County Council are seeking views on anti-social behaviour in Durham City and how best to tackle it.
We’ve begun public consultation to build a picture of any anti-social behaviour people have experienced in the city, if it’s affected their quality of life and how they think it ...could be addressed.
The consultation will run until 5pm on Sunday 23 June and there’s loads of ways to take part.
Find out more here 👉 www.durham.gov.uk/consultation
Destinations, businesses and venues along the Northern Saints routes can utilise the trails in their own marketing activity with The Northern Saints Toolkit.
Containing items including web copy, images, logos and example social media posts, the toolkit supports businesses to benefit from the ...Northern Saints Trails.
Find out more here 👇
https://tinyurl.com/bdcx9y8j
Did you know that £12bn is spent on UK tourism where a member of the party had a disability?
Today is Global Accessibility Awareness Day, what better time to find out how you can welcome all visitors and why being accessible is so important.
Take a look at our Accessibility toolkit ...here 👇
https://tinyurl.com/2hkvkcr6
#GAAD
📣 This week's Grapevine is out now, read the latest about-
▪️ Business Growth opportunity
▪️ Proud Allies training
▪️ Follow us on social media
▪️ Nominate your Tourism Superstar
Find out more here 👇
https://tinyurl.com/5a9fywbc
Having your event listed on Thisisdurham.com is valuable exposure to thousands of visitors to Durham.
If you have an event or an exhibition that you’d like us to include in our Week Ahead events listing guide you can submit this easily here 👇
https://tinyurl.com/545fznfk
Visit County Durham has renewed its partnership with Durham Cricket as international top-flight cricket heads to Chester-le-Street’s Riverside ground.
The destination management organisation has been working in partnership with Durham Cricket since 2020 to promote Durham to cricket fans,... encouraging spectators to extend their visit, or return for a longer break.
And with an action-packed programme of domestic and international cricket set to take place this year, it is the perfect opportunity to encourage visitors to explore more of the county.
Read more here 👇
https://www.visitcountydurham.org/news/partnership-promotes-durham-as-holiday-destination-to-cricket-fans-2/