Visit County Durham
Visit County Durham (VCD) is the destination management organisation for County Durham and one of a portfolio of nationally supported, strategic, and high-performing accredited Local Visitor Economy Partnerships. We provide strong local leadership and governance, and are committed to the promotion, management, and development of County Durham as a great place to live, work, visit and do business.
Visit County Durham works in partnership locally, regionally, and nationally on shared priorities and targets. Our mission is to support and grow the visitor economy through robust destination management, strong stakeholder relationships and clear planning.
Our vision is to create the conditions for our residents, businesses, and the environment to benefit from sustainable growth in our visitor economy. By supporting and marketing our distinctive heritage, landscapes, culture and warm welcome, we will grow both day and overnight visits and make County Durham a compelling, global destination for tourism, culture, and business.
Destination performance
21.56m
(Visitors Annually)
Over 6m
(75 Attractions)
8%
(Overnight Stays)
13,795
(Jobs Within the Industry)
£1.38bn
(Annual Income)
Latest news
Kynren receives TripAdvisor Travellers' Choice Award during its tenth anniversary season
7 Aug 2025
Kynren – An Epic Tale of England has been recognised in Tripadvisor’s® Travellers’ Choice® Awards for 2025, as its tenth anniversary season continues. Tripadvisor’s Travellers’ Choice Award winners are among the top 10% of listings around the world on Tripadvisor. This latest accolade is one of several awards the blockbuster production has received this year, including ‘Best […]
Read More about Kynren receives TripAdvisor Travellers' Choice Award during its tenth anniversary season
TripAdvisor names The Bowes Museum among its top 10% of attractions worldwide
7 Aug 2025
The Bowes Museum has been recognised in Tripadvisor’s Travellers’ Choice Awards for 2025.Tripadvisor’s Travellers’ Choice Award winners are among the top 10% of listings around the world on Tripadvisor. As the world’s largest travel guidance platform, Tripadvisor has unparalleled authority with travellers and diners. This award is based on genuine feedback from anyone in the […]
Read More about TripAdvisor names The Bowes Museum among its top 10% of attractions worldwide
Sun, sea and fabulous fare at Seaham Food Festival
4 Aug 2025
Thousands of people flocked to Seaham this weekend for two fun-packed days of great food, cookery demonstrations and live entertainment. Once again, Seaham Food Festival proved popular with food lovers of all ages, who travelled from across the region and beyond to join in the fun, From the finest regional produce to scrumptious sweet treats […]
Read More about Sun, sea and fabulous fare at Seaham Food FestivalSuppliers to industry
New College Durham
New College Durham has over 50 different higher education and professional qualifications in a diverse range of subjects. We deliver these programmes in addition to other professional training options and qualifications to support you in the development of your whole organisation. Enhancing the qualifications and potential of your existing employees is an ideal way of […]
Read More about New College Durham
Stick Marketing
We are an experienced brand and digital marketing agency based in Durham City. We apply strategic and creative thinking to your brand, online presence and marketing communications. We are on a mission to deliver you big ideas, true stories, engaging content and real results - all while providing value for money and return on your […]
Read More about Stick Marketing
Climb & Conquer
Climb & Conquer are a county Durham based specialist marketing agency, focusing on getting websites to the top of Google with SEO and creating profitable advertising with Google Ads management services. The company currently serves over 50 clients within and outside of the UK - covering a wide range of industries. The agency is a […]
Read More about Climb & Conquer
Mapp’s Mortgage & Insurance Ltd
For 30 years, Mapps have been providing expert advice on mortgages, protection and insurance to both businesses and private clients across County Durham. Based in Crook, we are a family owned business headed up by brother and sister team Peter Mapp and Vivienne Page who combine friendly service with unrivalled industry knowledge to find you […]
Read More about Mapp’s Mortgage & Insurance Ltd
Visit County Durham latest
Champions set to showcase Durham on a global scale
Businesses, organisations and individuals from across County Durham have come together for the first Durham Champions – an exciting new county-wide network made up of people who are passionate about the place and want to see it thrive. It follows the recent launch of the county’s place brand - ‘The Durham Story’ - spearheaded by […]
Read More about Champions set to showcase Durham on a global scale
Visit County Durham partners with 11 Arches to showcase the county
As Kynren, An Epic Tale of England celebrates its 10th anniversary season, Visit County Durham has partnered with 11 Arches to showcase the multi-award-winning outdoor show and the county to key media publications. A group of journalists representing regional and national publications enjoyed a visit to Durham to see the preview of the 2025 season, […]
Read More about Visit County Durham partners with 11 Arches to showcase the county
Durham showcased to thousands at The Great Yorkshire Show
Members of the Visit County Durham team headed south last week to fly the flag for Durham at The Great Yorkshire Show. The annual four-day event is a highlight in the agricultural diary attracting 140,000 visitors, the show is an excellent opportunity to promote Durham as Yorkshire represents a target market for the county.
Read More about Durham showcased to thousands at The Great Yorkshire Show
Group travel partnership to showcase Durham
Visit County Durham has partnered with Group Travel World to showcase the county to key group travel organisers, tour and coach operators. Following a visit to The Auckland Project, preview of the 2025 season of Kynren – An Epic Tale of England, and accommodation at Park Head Hotel, we hosted the group so they could […]
Read More about Group travel partnership to showcase Durham
