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Press Releases

Read our latest news updates and releases for the tourism industry.

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Successful partnership promoting the Durham Coast renewed

5 Jun 2023

A partnership that is helping to raise awareness of the Durham Heritage Coast across the UK and beyond has been renewed. Visit County Durham is once again joining forces with the National Coastal Tourism Academy (NCTA) to promote the county’s dramatic coastline as a sustainable year-round holiday...

Helping businesses to stand out in the group travel market

26 May 2023

Tourism and hospitality businesses have been taking advantage of specialist training to help them to succeed in the group travel market. This month, Visit County Durham delivered an interactive group travel course, providing businesses with top tips and inspiration on how to stand out in this...

New coach drop-off provision enhances Durham City's group travel experience

24 May 2023

Durham City’s group travel offer is now even better thanks to the introduction of a new coach drop-off and pick-up point. From this month, coach parties visiting the historic city will alight on the other side of the River Wear on Framwelgate Waterside instead of the former drop off point at...

Visit County Durham Chair to retire after 14 years

17 May 2023

Visit County Durham’s long-serving Chair has announced he will retire next month after 14 years of dedicated service. Ivor Stolliday was appointed Chair of the Visit County Durham Ltd board in 2009 and has proven a dedicated and inspirational ambassador for the county. As Durham’s destination...

High demand for Welcome to Durham customer service training

3 May 2023

Visit County Durham has relaunched its popular customer service course, with demand proving so high, a second session is being delivered next month. Welcome to Durham provides practical and immediately usable skills that can make the difference between a visitor being satisfied or dissatisfied....

New website promotes Durham as top destination for business events and conferences

27 Apr 2023

Durham’s conference, meetings and events venues have been brought together on a new website by Visit County Durham. Meetindurham.co.uk also showcases the county’s high-quality delegate accommodation and experiences, enabling Visit County Durham to target a market identified as a post-covid...

Durham City hosts UK launch of innovative litter app

27 Feb 2023

A mobile app that rewards residents and visitors for picking up litter has been launched in Durham City today (Friday 24 February) as part of the county’s commitment to becoming a sustainable destination. UnLitter UK encourages people to play their part in maintaining clean and green communities...

Celebrating the Year of the Coast in Durham

1 Feb 2023

Durham’s spectacular heritage coastline is under the spotlight this year as part of a nationwide campaign to promote England’s coast as a sustainable year-round destination. 2023 has been designated as the Year of the Coast and aims to bring coastal destinations together to showcase their...

Collaboration makes for memorable marketing campaign

10 Jan 2023

Visit County Durham has joined forces with a leading influencer marketing agency for a campaign that is positioning Durham as the place to go to make memories. Memorable Moments draws upon Durham’s amazing heritage, culture, countryside, and coast, along with its great places to eat, drink and...

Sustainability takes centre stage at Visit County Durham’s autumn conference

3 Nov 2022

Tourism organisations from across Durham came together this week to explore how sustainable practices can not only make a difference to the planet but support the sector to grow. Destination Management Organisation Visit County Durham chose sustainability as the theme of its autumn conference in...

Memorable Moments campaign sets out to boost tourism

26 Oct 2022

Families, couples and anyone seeking a staycation packed full of memorable moments are being encouraged to head to Durham this autumn. Visit County Durham, Durham County Council’s tourism service, has teamed up with partners across the tourism sector for a new campaign aimed at boosting the...

Durham security officer scoops tourism superstar award

21 Jul 2022

Durham has crowned its first Tourism Superstar in three years, following a hiatus due to the Covid-19 pandemic. Connor Turnbull, a security officer at Dalton Park Outlet Shopping Destination, has been crowned Durham Tourism Superstar 2022 thanks to his excellent customer service, volunteering...

Walking trails on track to boost tourism recovery in Durham and wider region

19 Jul 2022

Six long-distance walking trails inspired by the North East’s historic reputation as a place of pilgrimage are playing a significant role in boosting Durham’s tourism economy. Launched last year, the Northern Saints Trails cover more than 200 miles and are positioning the North East as the...

Delight as County Durham reaches next stage of UK City of Culture 2025 competition

8 Oct 2021

News County Durham is a step closer to being crowned UK City of Culture 2025 has been met with joy and resolve by the partnership driving forward the bid. Today, the Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS) announced its long-list of eight locations that will progress to the...

First ever digital Lumiere artwork gives the UKs leading light festival life beyond the four-day event

4 Oct 2021

Lumiere, the UK’s leading light festival, has announced today an exciting new interactive project in the lead-up to the full Programme reveal later this month. Created by digital studio Tekja and supported by Visit County Durham Ltd, Tree of Hope will be the first -ever digital artwork...