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.

£2.25 Million Boost for the Region's Tourism Industry

£2.25 Million Boost for the Region's Tourism Industry

North East announced as the first ever Destination Development Partnership pilot in England.

Business Events and Conference Market

Business Events and Conference Market

The county’s new website for conference, meeting and event venues.

Join Us

From attractions and accommodation providers to places to eat, things to do and local suppliers, Visit County Durham Partnership brings benefits through promoting and developing any type or size of business.

Join Us

Filming Friendly Durham

Supporting production companies, filmmakers and photographers, make Durham your next destination.

Filming Friendly Durham
Year of the Coast

Year of the Coast

Year of the Coast 2023 will coordinate and amplify a year-long programme of events and promotion of the whole of England’s coastline.

Find a Supplier

Find a Supplier

Visit County Durham work with a number of Supplier Partner’s who offer services which are directly relevant to tourism businesses.

Destination performance

Visitors
Visitors in Durham

11.4m

(Visitors Annually)

Visits to attractions
Attractions in Durham

4m

(70 attractions)

Staying Visitors
Accommodation in Durham

6%

(Overnight Stays)

Employment
Tourism employment in Durham

6,794

(Jobs within the industry)

Visitor Economy
Durhams Visitor economy

£507m

(Annual Income)

Latest news

Partnership promotes Durham as holiday destination to cricket fans

8 Jun 2023

Visit County Durham has renewed its partnership with Durham Cricket as a spectacular season of sport gets underway.

Read More about Partnership promotes Durham as holiday destination to cricket fans

Tourism Superstar

8 Jun 2023

The deadline to nominate a person or team for Durham Tourism Superstar 2023 is this Friday 9th June. The award recognises the dedication and passion of those working in Durham's tourism industry and will be awarded to an individual or team who go above and beyond the call of duty to ensure visitors to the […]

Read More about Tourism Superstar

Save the date

8 Jun 2023

Save the date for Visit County Durham's annual summer Garden Party being held on Tuesday 18th July from 4pm at Beamish Hall Country Hotel. As well as a great chance to meet up with industry colleagues, we will also be announcing the winner of Durham Tourism Superstar 2023. Keep an eye on your email inbox […]

Read More about Save the date

Suppliers to industry

Arty, Inc

Arty, 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, Inc
Weardale Cheese

Weardale Cheese

Based in one of the old workshops at Harperley Prisoner of War Camp, Weardale Cheese occupies a truly unique location at the entrance to beautiful Weardale in County Durham. Sourcing milk from local farms, Weardale Cheese produces a range of hard and soft artisan cheeses selling at farmers markets and locally to shops, pubs, restaurants […]

Read More about Weardale Cheese
GLOW Creative

GLOW Creative

Founded in 2008 and based in Durham City, Glow Creative is a full-service marketing, PR and design agency committed to delivering engaging marketing solutions online, offline & across social media channels. We produce imaginative campaigns to expand your reach and help you get maximum value out of every penny. By working in close partnership with […]

Read More about GLOW Creative
J R Holland

J R Holland

JR Holland Food Services are the North East’s leading food service provider to all sectors of the catering industry. We are a Wholesale Food supplier providing fresh produce delivered via our chilled distribution network. Founded in 1983 JR Holland Food Services supplies some of the biggest names in catering in the North of England with […]

Read More about J R Holland

Visit County Durham latest

VCD Blog - Helping to turn a vision into a reality

VCD Blog - Helping to turn a vision into a reality

Ahead of his retirement in June, Ivor Stolliday reflects on his time as Chair of Visit County Durham. It has been a long time, more than 14 years I believe, since I applied to be Chair of what was at that time one of the four tourism agencies, which were funded by the then North […]

Read More about VCD Blog - Helping to turn a vision into a reality
Durham Tourism Superstar

Durham Tourism Superstar

Visit County Durham in association with The Northern Echo, is seeking to showcase the best in customer service offered to visitors to the county with the annual Durham Tourism Superstar initiative.

Read More about Durham Tourism Superstar
International Marketing

International Marketing

Inbound tourism is expected to continue to rise post-covid - find out more about how Visit County Durham targets overseas visitors, and how to get involved.

Read More about International Marketing
Visit County Durham Update

Visit County Durham Update

The latest Visit County Durham Update is now available to view online, covering the key projects, successes, insights and updates of the last 6 months.

Read More about Visit County Durham Update

Social wall

Nominations close tomorrow for Durham’s next Tourism Superstar!

Find out more and nominate here 👇
https://www.visitcountydurham.org/durham-tourism-superstar/ #DTSS23

The Energy Bills Discount Scheme has now been expanded to provide more support to museums, libraries and historic houses. The scheme recognises that some non-domestic energy users are particularly vulnerable to high energy prices and are unable to pass these costs on to customers.

Find ...out what help is available for your business here 👇
https://www.gov.uk/guidance/energy-bills-discount-scheme-energy-and-trade-intensive-industries-support

Make sure you never miss out on the latest industry news with our Wednesday Grapevine e-newsletter.

Sign up here 👇
https://tinyurl.com/27h89c8v

Supplier Partner Emerge North East are a proud Durham based business and believe it is their job is to make procurement of products such as stationery, packaging, office furniture, catering, janitorial and hospitality items a quick and easy process for all customers.

Find out more about ...their services here 👇
https://tinyurl.com/4297f59c

Its National Bike Week!
What a great reason to take a look at our Cycling Toolkit to find out why Cycling Tourism is so important and how you can welcome cycle visitors.

Find out more here 👇
https://www.visitcountydurham.org/business-support-toolkits/

#BikeWeek
...#7daysofcycling

Book now for free upcoming training on how to reach international visitors.
Join VisitEngland's 'Taking England to the World' training programme for free advice and guidance on how to boost your international bookings.
Places are going fast for their July online session ...taking place across three two-hour virtual sessions on 6th, 13th and 20th July.

Book here 👇
https://www.visitbritain.org/taking-england-world-trade-education-programme