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

Tickets to go on sale tomorrow as Luxmuralis returns to Durham Cathedral in October

2 May 2024

Luxmuralis is returning for a third year to Durham Cathedral with Space, and tickets go on sale at 11am on Friday 3 May, with some special discounted rates. From Wednesday 9 to Sunday 13 October, visitors will be able to experience stunning light projections of galaxies and see original footage of a rocket launch, all with immersive […]

Read More about Tickets to go on sale tomorrow as Luxmuralis returns to Durham Cathedral in October

Screen Tourism

1 May 2024

Screen tourism has seen significant growth as the 'set jetting' trend continues, with consumers influenced by their favourite films and programmes in their choice of holiday destination. Our county is home to many landmarks and landscapes that have been featured in Hollywood blockbusters, cult movies and TV classics. In this special feature from ITVX, learn […]

Read More about Screen Tourism

Host & Stay Launches ManageGreen: Elevating Sustainable Practices in Holiday Home Management

1 May 2024

Host & Stay, a trailblazer in the holiday let management industry, proudly announces the launch of ManageGreen within their property management packages. Dedicated to fostering sustainability and conscious travel, ManageGreen represents Host & Stay's commitment to environmental responsibility and signifies an important step forward in reshaping the landscape of holiday let and short-term rental management. […]

Read More about Host & Stay Launches ManageGreen: Elevating Sustainable Practices in Holiday Home Management

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.

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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

The North East Tourism Awards are open, meaning you can get in early and work on your application!
Submissions close on 16 Sept at 5pm, so you have time to perfect your entry and ensure it reflects your business' star quality.

Learn more here 👉 https://tinyurl.com/5ft3sada

Visit County Durham's Northern Saints Trails Passport encourages walkers to seek out locations along the Northern Saints routes to obtain stamps as a record of their visit.
Marketing activity promotes participating businesses, driving footfall to those taking part.

Get in touch to... find out more about stocking or participating in the passport here 👇
Craig.Wilson@visitcountydurham.org

Supplier Partner Weardale Cheese produces a range of hard and soft artisan cheeses selling at farmers markets and locally to shops, pubs, restaurants and delicatessens.

Find out more here 👇
https://tinyurl.com/2cvxp8vm

Our Meet in Durham website targets the business events and conference market. The website presents the county's venues, accommodation and unmissable delegate experiences through a single dedicated platform.

You can view the site here 👇
...https://www.thisisdurham.com/meet-in-durham

To get involved, email us 👉 info@meetindurham.org

Make sure you never miss out on the latest industry news with our Wednesday Grapevine e-newsletter.

Sign up here 👇
https://tinyurl.com/27h89c8v

Host & Stay, a trailblazer in the holiday let management industry, proudly announces the launch of ManageGreen within their property management packages.
Dedicated to fostering sustainability and conscious travel, ManageGreen represents Host & Stay's commitment to environmental ...responsibility and signifies an important step forward in reshaping the landscape of holiday let and short-term rental management.

Find out more here 👇
https://www.visitcountydurham.org/news/host-stay-launches-managegreen-elevating-sustainable-practices-in-holiday-home-management/

Our Jobs & Skills section offers advice on how to recruit effectively, what training opportunities are available, along with best practice examples.

Find out more here 👇
https://www.visitcountydurham.org/recruitment-and.../