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.

Durham’s visitor economy hits £1 billion milestone

Durham’s visitor economy hits £1 billion milestone

Tourism contributed more than £1 billion to Durham’s economy for the first time ever in 2022, the latest industry research has revealed.

Tourism Superstar Nominations

Tourism Superstar Nominations

Applications are now open for Durham Tourism Superstar 2024. Help us to showcase the very best visitor welcome and customer service.

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
Business Events and Conference Market

Business Events and Conference Market

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

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

17.91m

(Visitors Annually)

Visits to Attractions
Attractions in Durham

4.6m

(75 Attractions)

Staying Visitors
Accommodation in Durham

9%

(Overnight Stays)

Employment
Tourism employment in Durham

11,724

(Jobs Within the Industry)

Visitor Economy
Durhams Visitor economy

£1.04bn

(Annual Income)

Latest news

Beamish celebrates national Visitor Welcome Award!

17 May 2024

Beamish. The Living Museum of the North is delighted to have won the national Visitor Welcome Award at the Museums + Heritage Awards 2024. The County Durham open air museum beat off competition from venues around the country to be named winner of the prestigious award at a ceremony in London. The Visitor Welcome Award […]

Read More about Beamish celebrates national Visitor Welcome Award!

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 Festival

VisitEngland 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 guides

Suppliers to industry

n-gage.io

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.io
Stroodles

Stroodles

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 Stroodles
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
WL Distillery

WL 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 Distillery

Visit County Durham latest

VCD Blog - Celebrating International Women’s Day 2024

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 2024
VCD Blog - Working together for Durham and the North East

VCD 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 East
A destination for all: Accessibility takes centre stage at tourism conference

A 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 conference
Research reveals Memorable Moments marketing campaign generated millions in visitor spend

Research 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 spend

Social wall

Today is International Museum Day!
This year’s theme, “Museums for Education and Research,” underscores the pivotal role of cultural institutions in providing a holistic educational experience. This day pushes for a more conscious, sustainable and inclusive world.

From Durham ...University Things To Do Oriental Museum to Beamish Museum -England's largest open air museum and The Bowes Museum in the Durham Dales, your visitors will be spoilt for choice.

Find out more here 👇
https://www.thisisdurham.com/.../museums-and-galleries

#IMD2024

Businesses can request copies of the brand new 2024 Durham Pocket Guide, free of charge, to make available to their customers.
Copies of the county’s official tourism publication will be distributed throughout the region, playing an important role in inspiring visitors and residents, by ...providing information on things to see and do, and places to eat.

Request your copies by emailing 👇
visitor@thisisdurham.com

The Pocket Guide can also be downloaded here 👉https://www.visitcountydurham.org/official-visitor-guide/

Congratulations to Strategic Partner The Bowes Museum on winning the Café of the Year Award at the Museums + Heritage Awards 2024.

Read more here 👇
https://awards.museumsandheritage.com/2024-winners/

#MandHAwards

Congratulations to our Strategic Partner Beamish Museum on winning the national Visitor Welcome Award at the Museums + Heritage Awards 2024.

Read more here 👇
https://www.visitcountydurham.org/news/beamish-celebrates-national-visitor-welcome-award/

#MandHAwards

Love Your Local Market will take place on Friday 17th May to Saturday 1st June 2024.
The Love Your Local Market fortnight, has now been embraced by over 24 countries worldwide!

Local markets showcase our destination distinctiveness so why not share the local markets in your area with ...your visitors? Just another great reason for them to visit!

#lylm2024 #lovedurham

The search is back on for Durham’s Tourism Superstars! 🌟
We are asking for nominations for people working in any part of the visitor economy, who are able to represent their profession.

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

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