Media Room
Latest News
All the latest news from the Industry and the Visit County Durham Grapevine newsletter.
Domestic Sentiment Tracker
14 May 2025
VisitEngland's latest Domestic Sentiment Tracker shows that perceptions of the cost of living crisis have significantly worsened, reflecting global uncertainty throughout April with US tariffs. In April 2025, 60% of UK adults felt that the worst of the crisis was still to come, the highest...
Read More about Domestic Sentiment TrackerAttractions Marketing Conference
14 May 2025
This year's National Attractions Marketing Conference takes place on Thursday 5th June at Drayton Manor Theme Park & Resort. The conference programme and its 20 speakers on marketing attractions are featured at www.attractionsmarketing.co.uk. All Visit County Durham Partners can access special...
Read More about Attractions Marketing ConferenceAccommodation Provider Event
14 May 2025
Accommodation providers are invited to attend a familiarisation visit to Auckland Palace, Gardens & Faith Museum on Thursday 22nd May 2025. The day will begin with refreshments at 10am followed by a short tour of Auckland Palace. Guests will have the opportunity to explore The Auckland...
Read More about Accommodation Provider EventPhishing Email Warning
14 May 2025
Several partners have contacted us to advise that they have been receiving emails purporting to be from WordPress, asking the recipient to verify their email address with visitcountydurham.org. This email has not been sent by nor is it associated with Visit County Durham. If you have received an...
Read More about Phishing Email WarningDurham Fringe Festival returns with its most exciting lineup to date
8 May 2025
Between 23rd and 27th July 2025, Durham Fringe Festival will host a spectacular array of performing arts across nine Durham City Centre venues. Audiences will be invited to explore over 110 unique acts across a programme of 270+ performances. Genres include theatre, music, stand-up comedy, comedy...
Read More about Durham Fringe Festival returns with its most exciting lineup to dateWalking Month
7 May 2025
May is National Walking Month 2025, a campaign to encourage people across all ages and backgrounds to get outside and embrace the simple, yet profound health benefits of walking. Durham offers a variety of walking routes from the Northern Saints Trails, walks around the North Pennines National...
Read More about Walking MonthAccessibility Clinics Reminder
7 May 2025
As part of the Everybody Welcome programme, we are offering 1:1 online business clinics undertaken by Chris Veitch and Jane Cooper from Access and Inclusion UK. Get tailored advice and guidance on making your business more accessible. The sessions are running until the end of June 2025. Register...
Read More about Accessibility Clinics ReminderA message from Visit County Durham's Managing Director, Michelle Gorman
30 Apr 2025
Spring, is of course, a season of new beginnings, so it is very fitting that we are celebrating the launch of Durham Story - an exciting new approach to promoting the county. The place brand was recently unveiled to over 80 stakeholders who attended the launch event at Gala Durham. The event,...
Read More about A message from Visit County Durham's Managing Director, Michelle GormanDurham Shortlisted!
30 Apr 2025
Durham has been shortlisted as a finalist in the Group Leisure & Travel Awards 2025. The county was nominated for Best UK Destination by readers of Group Leisure and Travel magazine and subsequently voted on by tour operators and group travel organisers. T op attractions in the county have also...
Read More about Durham Shortlisted!Green Tourism Opportunity
30 Apr 2025
The deadline for visitor economy businesses to secure Green Tourism or Green Meetings certification has been extended until 30th June. Businesses that successfully submit for assessment by 30th June 2025 will receive extended fully funded membership until 30th June 2026 through Destination North...
Read More about Green Tourism OpportunityInternational Visitor Spending
30 Apr 2025
Find out more about how international visitors spend their money in Britain. VisitBritain's latest research dashboard offers timely data and expert insights into spending behaviour at a national and local level. Using the interactive tool, you can compare month-by-month and year-on-year data and...
Read More about International Visitor SpendingBeamish, The Living Museum of the North shortlisted for Art Fund Museum of the Year 2025
29 Apr 2025
Beamish, The Living Museum of the North has been announced as one of five finalists for Art Fund Museum of the Year 2025, the world’s largest museum prize. Art Fund, the national charity for museums and galleries, annually shortlists five outstanding museums for Museum of the Year....
Read More about Beamish, The Living Museum of the North shortlisted for Art Fund Museum of the Year 2025Regenerative Tourism Guide
23 Apr 2025
VisitEngland have launched the Regenerative Tourism Guide, a no-nonsense, easy-to-follow resource to help tourism businesses wherever they are on their regenerative sustainability journey. The guide supports businesses in identifying ways to act responsibly, as well as sharing their efforts to...
Read More about Regenerative Tourism GuideDurham City Riverbanks
23 Apr 2025
Durham Wildlife Trust and Durham Cathedral are working together to understand how people use and enjoy the riverbanks in Durham City. By gathering information on how residents and visitors move through and feel about the areas of the riverbanks under the care of Durham Cathedral, the Trust,...
Read More about Durham City RiverbanksNorth East Tourism Structures
23 Apr 2025
On the 18 March, the North East Combined Authority hosted a full cabinet meeting which set out the proposed principles underpinning a new regional approach for the visitor economy, potential scope and functions required, and next steps for stakeholder engagement. As part of the consultation...
Read More about North East Tourism Structures