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Press Releases

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

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Durham condiment makes regional return

Durham condiment makes regional return

5 Jan 2024

Mustard is once again being made in Durham – where it was first invented – and makers are looking to collaborate on the colourful condiment. Resurrecting mustard production in Durham was the brainchild of Visit County Durham, as part of its work to develop the county as a culinary destination...

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Durham Visitor Information Network’s customer satisfaction score soars

Durham Visitor Information Network’s customer satisfaction score soars

13 Dec 2023

Durham’s Visitor Information Network has scored a 95 per cent customer satisfaction rate in a recent mystery shopping exercise.  Each year, the mystery shopper exercise is carried out across the county’s Visitor Information Network, which sees partners delivering a visitor information...

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Online Advent Calendar helps showcase Durham this Christmas

Online Advent Calendar helps showcase Durham this Christmas

6 Dec 2023

The festive period is an important time of year for tourism businesses and Visit County Durham has launched a range of marketing opportunities to support partners and showcase the county. Now in its third year, the Durham Online Advent Calendar is back with exclusive competitions, prizes and...

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Influencer collaboration boosts Do Durham Differently campaign

Influencer collaboration boosts Do Durham Differently campaign

5 Dec 2023

Visit County Durham has joined forces with high profile travel influencers as part of its latest destination marketing campaign. Do Durham Differently aims to showcase the endless staycation possibilities that exist in Durham by highlighting the large variety of attractions, activities and places...

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Lumiere media and influencer visits shine a light on Durham

Lumiere media and influencer visits shine a light on Durham

22 Nov 2023

Journalists and social media influencers from across the UK and beyond descended on Durham last week as the UK’s light art biennial made its dazzling return. Visit County Durham worked in partnership with Lumiere producer Artichoke to deliver a group media visit and Instameet to showcase the...

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

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

15 Nov 2023

Ensuring an excellent welcome for all visitors was the key theme of Visit County Durham’s 2023 Industry Conference. Representatives from tourism businesses across the sector attended the event at Lumley Castle – from attractions and hotels, to bed and breakfasts and suppliers to industry. The...

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Campaign encourages visitors to ‘Do Durham Differently’

Campaign encourages visitors to ‘Do Durham Differently’

8 Nov 2023

Durham’s unique and diverse experiences, world-class attractions and eclectic accommodation are the inspiration behind a new campaign aimed at boosting the county’s visitor economy. Do Durham Differently is the latest national destination marketing campaign from Visit County Durham and...

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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

24 Oct 2023

Visit County Durham’s national destination marketing campaign, Memorable Moments, generated £86.6 million in visitor spend, research has revealed.

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Flying the flag for Durham and North East England in the USA

Flying the flag for Durham and North East England in the USA

6 Sep 2023

Durham and North East England will be showcased to more than 50 top travel buyers from across North America at a major travel trade event this week. Visit County Durham is attending VisitBritain’s Destination Britain North America (DBNA) trade event in San Francisco, as part of its ongoing work...

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Penny farthing riding TikTok sensation crowned Durham Tourism Superstar 2023

Penny farthing riding TikTok sensation crowned Durham Tourism Superstar 2023

19 Jul 2023

A museum engager who has devoted almost 40 years to ensuring visitors have an unforgettable experience has been crowned Durham Tourism Superstar 2023. Ian Bean, an engager at Beamish, The Living Museum of the North, secured the most public votes in the annual competition, which is organised by...

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Showcasing Durham at the Great Yorkshire Show

Showcasing Durham at the Great Yorkshire Show

10 Jul 2023

Visit County Durham and its partners are promoting the county as the ultimate destination for days out and staycations at the 164th Great Yorkshire Show this week. The event, which takes place from tomorrow (Tuesday) to Friday 14 July, is expected to attract 140,000 people, making it the ideal...

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Durham’s visitor economy hits £1 billion milestone

Durham’s visitor economy hits £1 billion milestone

30 Jun 2023

Tourism contributed more than £1 billion to Durham’s economy for the first time ever in 2022, the latest industry research has revealed. Last year, 17.9 million people visited the county, spending a record-breaking £1.04 billion. This is an increase of 25.6 per cent on 2021 and 8.76 per cent on...

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Durham set to bowl over cricket fans this summer

Durham set to bowl over cricket fans this summer

14 Jun 2023

Visit County Durham is once again teaming up with The Barmy Army to showcase Durham as a holiday destination to cricket fans. Following a successful partnership during the Cricket World Cup, Visit County Durham is delighted to be working with the original England cricket team’s supporter club...

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Coach Tourism Association membership presents new opportunities for Durham

Coach Tourism Association membership presents new opportunities for Durham

12 Jun 2023

Discover Durham is now an official member of the Coach Tourism Association. Led by Visit County Durham, Discover Durham is the county’s group travel and trade consortium, representing Durham’s group friendly attractions, accommodation and tour guides. As a member of the Coach Tourism...

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Partnership promotes Durham as holiday destination to cricket fans

Partnership promotes Durham as holiday destination to cricket fans

8 Jun 2023

Visit County Durham has renewed its partnership with Durham Cricket as a spectacular season of sport gets underway. The destination management organisation has been working in partnership with Durham Cricket since 2020 to promote Durham as a holiday destination to cricket fans. And with the...

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