Visit County Durham
Visit County Durham (VCD) is the destination management organisation for County Durham and one of a portfolio of nationally supported, strategic, and high-performing accredited Local Visitor Economy Partnerships. We provide strong local leadership and governance, and are committed to the promotion, management, and development of County Durham as a great place to live, work, visit and do business.
Visit County Durham works in partnership locally, regionally, and nationally on shared priorities and targets. Our mission is to support and grow the visitor economy through robust destination management, strong stakeholder relationships and clear planning.
Our vision is to create the conditions for our residents, businesses, and the environment to benefit from sustainable growth in our visitor economy. By supporting and marketing our distinctive heritage, landscapes, culture and warm welcome, we will grow both day and overnight visits and make County Durham a compelling, global destination for tourism, culture, and business.
Destination performance
21.98m
(Visitors Annually)
Over 8m
(75 Attractions)
8%
(Overnight Stays)
14,069
(Jobs Within the Industry)
£1.49bn
(Annual Income)
Latest news
Rare book that changed history to go on display in Bishop Auckland
3 Aug 2026
A rare edition of the book that helped change the course of English history will be displayed in Bishop Auckland as part of a special exhibition marking 500 years since […]
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Shining ‘The Light’ on DLI treasures at new cultural venue
31 Jul 2026
Treasured items which help to tell the stories of those who served in the Durham Light Infantry (DLI) are being prepared for display at a brand new cultural venue. Durham […]
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County Durham coast shines in national My Coast Has the Most campaign
30 Jul 2026
Visit County Durham has celebrated a successful start to VisitEngland's My Coast Has the Most campaign, helping to inspire thousands of people to discover the county's spectacular coastline. Three promotional videos showcasing the Durham Heritage Coast, […]
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Tall Tales Mysteries
Murder mystery company based in the North East with teams of actors working from Northumberland to South Yorkshire.If you want intrigue and mystery to draw customers new and old to […]
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Northern Print Distribution
Northern Print Distribution: Putting your leaflets precisely where you want them. At Northern Print Distribution we can help you implement an effective leaflet marketing campaign that will drive crucial footfall […]
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Every Season Pest Control
Do you have a business or property in Durham that requires regular/ routine pest inspections? Do you put your pest contract out to tender every year or are you simply […]
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Towergate Insurance Brokers
Towergate have been insuring businesses in the North East of England since 1973. With our expertise in the Leisure and Hospitality Sectors, we have been offering both packaged and bespoke […]
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Visit County Durham latest
Partner Update July 2026
The latest bi-annual partner update is now available. This special 20th anniversary edition highlights Visit County Durham’s latest projects, results, and destination news. And as the destination management organisation celebrates two […]
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Ushaw catering supervisor crowned Durham Tourism Superstar 2026
A member of staff renowned for his exceptional customer service, genuine warmth and dedication to visitors has been crowned Durham Tourism Superstar 2026. Kyle Gregory, Catering Supervisor at Ushaw Historic […]
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County named best destination for the second year in a row
It was an incredible night for the county, as it was named Best UK Destination for the second year in a row at the prestigious Group Leisure and Travel Awards, […]
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Durham visitor economy approaches record £1.5 billion as investment and partnerships continue to drive growth
County Durham’s visitor economy has continued its strong upward trajectory, with the latest independent tourism figures showing visitor expenditure rising to £1.48 billion during 2025, an increase of 8% compared […]
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