Over the last 20 years, County Durham’s tourism offer has been transformational. The development in and around the city, including the arrival of the Radisson Blu hotel, has contributed to a shift in perception of Durham from a day trip destination to a much broader overnight visitor experience. 

The perception of County Durham as a place to visit has also changed significantly. The city has moved from being heritage focused to now being more experience led, with great restaurants, bars, spa retreats, as well as conference and business tourism. 

From a hotel perspective, the impact has been clear. Visitor stays have become longer, and the area is now more competitive with nearby destinations such as Newcastle and York. The vibrant night time economy is also supporting overnight stays, which has been a positive development for the sector. 

Visit County Durham has played an especially important role in helping the county modernise its tourism offer while still protecting Durham’s historic identity and heritage appeal. Visit County Durham has helped position the county as a destination that combines heritage, hospitality, culture, events, and modern visitor experiences, making tourism a significant contributor to the regional economy. 

Campaigns and projects that stand out include attracting world class events like Lumiere, which has helped put the region on the map on a wider scale. Working with developers such as The Auckland Project has also been hugely positive for the area in attracting visitors as have developments like Kynren. The ongoing activity to drive overnight visitors from other locations, most recently Next Stop Durham, has showcased the county offer very effectively. 

How would I describe Visit County Durham? Experience-led and progressive.  

Stuart Lloyd, General Manager, Radisson Blu Durham