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

Four of North East England’s Tourism Trailblazers Announced as Finalists at National Awards

15 Apr 2024

A tranquil boat tour business, a luxury hotel, a fine-dining restaurant housed in a 13th century friary and a national park unsung-hero are among the finalists at the national VisitEngland Awards for Excellence which recognises exceptional visitor economy businesses and individuals from around the UK. County Durham’s Rockliffe Hall Hotel, Serenity Farne Island Boat Tours, […]

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More than 150 traders confirmed for Bishop Auckland Food Festival

10 Apr 2024

Curries, crepes, cocktails and mocktails will be among the mouthwatering delights on offer at next weekend’s Bishop Auckland Food Festival. Durham County Council, which organises the festival, has confirmed more than 150 traders from County Durham and beyond will be taking stalls at the event on Saturday 20 and Sunday 21 April. And alongside the […]

Read More about More than 150 traders confirmed for Bishop Auckland Food Festival

Specialist markets coming to 11 County Durham centres

5 Apr 2024

New markets ranging from street food to Christmas markets will be coming to locations across County Durham. Durham County Council has procured specialist social enterprise Baccanalia to organise bespoke markets at 11 centres across the county. Ranging from craft markets, street food, farmers’ markets, vintage fayres and Christmas markets, the events will run across the […]

Read More about Specialist markets coming to 11 County Durham centres

Suppliers to industry

Humble Bee

Humble Bee

At Humble Bee we are proud to support honeybees and pollinators in the Durham area. Come and join us for our incredible Bee Experience set in 60 acres of wildflowers and get hands on with our Local Honeybees. Pick up a ‘pot of Sunshine' with our Award-winning Honey, produced just outside the city centre by […]

Read More about Humble Bee
Towergate Insurance Brokers

Towergate Insurance Brokers

Towergate have been insuring businesses in the North East of England since 1973. With our expertise in the Leisure and Hospitality Sectors, we have been offering both packaged and bespoke risk management and insurance solutions to businesses of all sizes for decades.  Whatever your business, it is essential to carry out a periodic review of […]

Read More about Towergate Insurance Brokers
Coghlans Artisan Bakery

Coghlans Artisan Bakery

Coghlans at Barningham's Artisan Bakery has been created within the old stable block and coach house at Barningham Park, a classic estate where the bakehouse and kitchen hosts a range of artisan products from bread and chocolates and your daily essential needs. Coghlans handmade bread use no preservatives food colours or artificial flavours, just a natural product from […]

Read More about Coghlans Artisan Bakery
Host & Stay Property Management

Host & Stay Property Management

Born in 2017, we are a family-owned property management company with a desire to lead the change in an age-old industry. Founded in the family’s home region of North Yorkshire, our mission has always been to help holiday homeowners unlock the potential in their homes with new methods for new times. We’re here to change […]

Read More about Host & Stay Property Management

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 […]

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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, […]

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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

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

Visit County Durham Partners, could your business benefit from leaflet distribution through our Visitor Information Network?
Get your literature in front of both visitors and residents alike in leaflet racks at approximately 40 key locations across the county, including attractions, ...accommodation and transport hubs.

Find out more here 👇
https://www.visitcountydurham.org/partner-marketing-opportunities/

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

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

The number of parking bays at Sniperley Park and Ride will be almost doubled as part of a £2 million expansion scheme.
Work is set to get underway at the site on the outskirts of Durham City on Monday 15 April after we successfully secured funding from the Government’s Transforming Cities ...Fund.
The project will see parking capacity increase from 326 spaces to almost 600, including more disabled, electric charging and motorhome bays.
Work is expected to last six months, with a park and ride service continuing to operate throughout this time and minimal impact expected on the local road network.

Find out more here 👇
https://www.durham.gov.uk/article/31304/Sniperley-Park-and-Ride-expansion-work-to-begin

Having your event listed on Thisisdurham.com is valuable exposure to thousands of visitors to Durham.

If you have an event or an exhibition that you’d like us to include in our Week Ahead events listing guide you can submit this easily here 👇
https://tinyurl.com/545fznfk

Curries, crepes, cocktails and mocktails will be among the mouth-watering delights on offer at this weekend’s Bishop Auckland Food Festival

Durham County Council, which organises the festival, has confirmed more than 150 traders from County Durham and beyond will be taking stalls at the... event on Saturday 20 and Sunday 21 April.

Find out more here 👇
https://www.visitcountydurham.org/news/more-than-150-traders-confirmed-for-bishop-auckland-food-festival/

Join Business Durham on 24th April to find out the social media trends for 2024.
The session will help you to -
▪️ Understand what changes may affect your business
▪️ Know what to incorporate or not into your social media plan
▪️ Learn about new opportunities online
...
Find out more and book your place here 👇
https://www.durhambusinessgrowth.co.uk/event-details/social-media-trends-for-small-businesses-2024

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.../

Supplier Partner The Tea Enthusiasts have a lot to offer business customers large or small.
Their 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.

Find out more here 👇
https://www.visitcountydurham.org/supplier/the-tea-enthusiasts/?parent=suppliers-to-industry/