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.

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Durham’s Visitor Economy Exceeds £1 Billion Milestone

Durham’s Visitor Economy Exceeds £1 Billion Milestone

Tourism contributed £1.23 billion to Durham’s economy, the latest industry research has revealed.

Durham Story

Durham Story

Discover more about our exciting new approach to promoting the county.

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
Image Library

Image Library

The online media centre is free to use and allows you to access key photography and videography from across the county. All of which showcases the county’s many amazing attractions, food and drink experiences, breathtaking landscapes, fun things to do and more!

Seasonal Marketing Opportunities

Seasonal Marketing Opportunities

Throughout the year Visit County Durham partners can take advantage of a programme of free, and cost-effective promotional opportunities for your business.

Destination performance

Visitors
Visitors in Durham

21.56m

(Visitors Annually)

Visits to Attractions
Attractions in Durham

Over 6m

(75 Attractions)

Staying Visitors
Accommodation in Durham

8%

(Overnight Stays)

Employment
Tourism employment in Durham

13,795

(Jobs Within the Industry)

Visitor Economy
Durhams Visitor economy

£1.38bn

(Annual Income)

Latest news

 Durham Champions come together at Auckland Tower

Durham Champions come together at Auckland Tower

30 Apr 2026

Our Durham Story continues to gain momentum as partners from across the county gathered for the fourth Durham Champions meeting at Auckland Tower.   The event, which took place on Wednesday, 29 April, brought together ambassadors committed to sharing the Durham Story, in an exciting new ‘Team Durham’ approach to raising the county’s profile and appeal […]

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County continues partnership with Durham’s first professional women’s cricket team

30 Apr 2026

Showcasing our shared passion and determination, a successful partnership between the county and Durham’s first professional women’s cricket team continues in 2026. As part of this ongoing collaboration, the county’s new place brand, ‘Our Durham Story’, will work in partnership with the team to raise the profile of the county, while championing equality, opportunity and […]

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Visit County Durham Launches Dedicated Travel Trade Brochure 

24 Apr 2026

Visit County Durham has launched its first dedicated Travel Trade brochure, created to support and inspire coach and tour operators, travel agents, and group travel organisers.  Designed specifically for travel trade partners, the brochure brings together practical tools and ideas to help plan, promote and deliver memorable visits to Durham. It showcases a wide range of group-friendly attractions and experiences, alongside accommodation suited to groups, and experienced tour guides.  A […]

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Suppliers to industry

New College Durham

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 […]

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Pascal Fintoni & Associates

Pascal Fintoni & Associates

Are you a Hospitality or Tourism Business in County Durham Looking to Stand Out? Are you ready to transform the reputation of your business with smart AI and digital marketing strategies?Could your marketing campaigns benefit from expert guidance to enhance visibility and drive bookings? That's where I can help. I'm Pascal Fintoni, and for over […]

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The Tea Enthusiasts

The Tea Enthusiasts

The Tea Enthusiasts have a lot to offer business customers large or small. Our personalised hands-on approach to service means your orders will not only be competitively priced within the market but customised to meet your needs.  Bring your drinks upmarket and on trend with artisanal teas of the highest quality at prices you wouldn't believe. Business to Business sales are […]

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Reed in Partnership

Reed in Partnership

Reed in Partnership provides the Restart Scheme in County Durham. The Restart Scheme is a support service for long-term unemployed jobseekers. The service gives Universal Credit claimants who are out of work enhanced support to find jobs in their local area. Jobseekers who fit the eligibility criteria receive up to 12 months of intensive personal […]

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Visit County Durham latest

Visit County Durham hosts VisitBritain chief executive for county showcase

Visit County Durham hosts VisitBritain chief executive for county showcase

Visit County Durham was delighted to host a visit from Patricia Yates last week, Chief Executive Officer of VisitBritain/VisitEngland. Following significant investment in the county’s visitor economy in recent years, through new and enhanced attractions and accommodation, and with even more yet to come, the visit was an excellent opportunity to strengthen ties with the […]

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Visit County Durham delivers successful North East showcase at national travel trade show

Visit County Durham delivers successful North East showcase at national travel trade show

Visit County Durham led a delegation at the British Tourism and Travel Show, held in Birmingham earlier this month, showcasing the region to group travel organisers, tour and coach operators, on the first ever Destination North East England stand. The event, the UK’s leading group travel exhibition, attracted over 2,000 industry professionals and more than […]

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Visit County Durham connects with travel media at VisitEngland PR event 

Visit County Durham connects with travel media at VisitEngland PR event 

Visit County Durham showcased the county’s latest tourism stories to national travel media at a VisitEngland PR networking event in London.  The event took place at The Hoxton Southwark, bringing together destinations from across England with leading travel and lifestyle journalists, international correspondents, content creators and freelance writers.  The networking evening provided a valuable opportunity for destinations to share new tourism developments, experiences and story […]

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Local Stories, National Growth: Driving Durham’s Visitor Economy Forward 

Local Stories, National Growth: Driving Durham’s Visitor Economy Forward 

As we come to the end of English Tourism Week 2026, I’d like to reflect on the importance of the annual event and how it provides an  key opportunity to celebrate the value of our visitor economy and the role it plays in supporting jobs, businesses and communities across the county. 

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