Industry News
Durham strikes gold at the North East England Tourism Awards
Celebrations are continuing in Durham after businesses scooped top prizes at the North East England Tourism Awards.
Hotels, attractions, shopping destinations and glamping sites all received accolades at the prestigious event, with three businesses scooping four of the coveted Gold awards.
This included Seaham Hall Hotel and Spa, which retained the Gold award for Best Small Hotel for the second year, as well as securing the national title in the Visit England Awards for Excellence.
Teesdale Cheesemakers, meanwhile, took home two Gold awards, Camping, Glamping and Holiday Park of the Year and Taste of North East England.
Durham’s success is testament to the strength of its visitor offer and the dynamic, resilient, and talented individuals and tourism businesses operating in the county.
Gold award winners
- Teesdale Cheesemakers, Durham Dales: Camping, Glamping and Holiday Park of the Year Award and the Taste of North East England Award.
- Dalton Park Outlet Shopping Destination, Durham Coast: Ethical, Responsible and Sustainable Tourism Award.
- Seaham Hall Hotel, Durham Coast: Small Hotel of the Year.
Silver award winners
- Caroline May, Seaham Hall Hotel and Spa, Durham Coast: Unsung Hero Award.
- Valhalla Axe Throwing, Vale of Durham: Experience of the Year Award.
- Seaham Hall Hotel, Durham Coast: Taste of North East England Award.
- Beamish, The Living Museum of the North, Vale of Durham: Large Visitor Attraction of the Year Award.
- The Lord Crewe Arms, Blanchland, Durham Dales: Small Hotel of the Year Award.
Bronze award winners
- Vindomora Country Lodges: Self-catering Accommodation Provider of the Year Award.
The North East England Tourism Awards play a key role in celebrating and showcasing the range of quality tourism businesses that visitors experience in the North East. 2023 was the event’s 20th anniversary, a period during which the North East’s visitor economy has doubled.
Several of the regional winners will now go on to represent the North East at the national VisitEngland Awards for Excellence.
High quality visitor experience
Ivor Stolliday, Chair of Visit County Durham Ltd, said: “The North East England Tourism Awards are an opportunity for us to celebrate the high quality visitor experiences that can be found in the region, and to recognise all of the hard work that goes on behind the scenes.
“I am delighted so many Durham businesses have secured top awards this year and I would like to congratulate them on behalf of everyone at Visit County Durham.
“It has been a challenging few years for the tourism and hospitality industries but there is much to look forward to in 2023 and beyond. By working together and showcasing our great offer through events like the North East England Tourism Awards, we can attract even more visitors, safeguard businesses and create more jobs and opportunities.”