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Latest News
All the latest news from the Industry and the Visit County Durham Grapevine newsletter.
Vote for your Durham Tourism Superstar
30 Jun 2022
Voting has opened for Durham Tourism Superstar 2022. The competition, held by Visit County Durham and The Northern Echo, seeks to find the person who shows the greatest passion for the county and a real dedication to giving visitors a memorable experience. The winner will go on to represent the...
Read More about Vote for your Durham Tourism SuperstarWell done!
23 Jun 2022
Congratulations to VCD Partner Hall Hill Farm on scooping two awards at the 2022 National Farm Attraction Network Awards (NFAN). Ann, Richard and team won 'Farm Attraction of the Year', awarded to the farm attraction that has delivered the best overall customer experience; and 'Attraction with the...
Read More about Well done!Understanding international travellers
23 Jun 2022
Want to learn more about the latest mindset of travellers? Join VisitEngland on Wednesday 29 June 2022 at 11am for a free webinar to help understand the current and future landscape of international tourism covering traveller motivations, influences, decisions and sustainability. The webinar will...
Read More about Understanding international travellersNorth East England Tourism Awards
23 Jun 2022
Tourism businesses across the region are being encouraged to enter the North East England Tourism Awards 2023. In its twentieth year, the awards celebrate quality, innovation and best practice throughout the region, showcasing the fantastic range of high quality experiences on offer for visitors...
Read More about North East England Tourism AwardsWelcome!
15 Jun 2022
We are pleased to welcome to the Visit County Durham team, Lizzie Anderson. Lizzie is our new Communications Executive and brings a wealth of experience...welcome Lizzie!
Read More about Welcome!NE Culture Awards
15 Jun 2022
Nominations are now open for the North East Culture Awards, sponsored by Durham County Council. The awards ceremony brings together the North East's arts, heritage and cultural sectors with live performances and artistic showcases from some of the region's top talents in music, art, dance and...
Read More about NE Culture AwardsSave the date
15 Jun 2022
We are pleased to announce the return of the annual Visit County Durham Garden Party. The event will be held at the Black Horse, Beamish on Wednesday 20th July between 4pm and 7pm and is a great opportunity to meet and network with colleagues old and new. The event also sees the announcement of the...
Read More about Save the dateAwards success
15 Jun 2022
It was a successful night for the County at the VisitEngland Awards for Excellence 2022 held at the Library of Birmingham on Wednesday 8th June. Congratulations to both our Strategic Partners Seaham Hall Hotel awarded Gold in the Small Hotel of the Year category, and Hotel Indigo Durham awarded...
Read More about Awards successSearch heating up
9 Jun 2022
The search is heating up to find Durham's Tourism Superstar for 2022. The prestigious award is returning after two years following the COVID pandemic and recognises the dedication and passion of those working in the county's tourism industry. The closing date for nominations is Friday 17th June and...
Read More about Search heating upCoast business survey
9 Jun 2022
The National Coastal Tourism Academy (NCTA) is carrying out a visitor economy business survey covering business performance over Quarter 1 2022 focussing on bookings and challenges. The deadline for survey completion is Monday 20th June. County Durham coastal businesses are encouraged to...
Read More about Coast business surveyWell done!
26 May 2022
Congratulations to VCD Partner Mill Granary Glamping, Ingleton and Fairfield House, Stanhope on receiving the prestigious VisitEngland Rose Award 2022. Rose Awards are nominated by VisitEngland's quality scheme assessors and selected from assessor comments and online feedback from overseas and...
Read More about Well done!Heritage Open Days
26 May 2022
Heritage Open Days is England's largest festival of history and culture, and this year will take place Friday 9th to Sunday 18th September. The festival brings together over 2,000 local people and organisations, and thousands of volunteers to celebrate their heritage.
Read More about Heritage Open DaysCharging Point Grants
26 May 2022
Accommodation businesses can now apply for a £350 grant to install an electric vehicle charging point through the Workplace Charging Scheme, a voucher-based scheme that provides eligible applicants with support towards upfront costs of the purchase and installation of electric vehicle charging...
Read More about Charging Point GrantsThe search is back on for Durham’s Tourism Superstars
20 May 2022
After coming to a standstill for two years due to the Covid-19 pandemic, Visit County Durham has today announced that the search is officially back on for County Durham’s best and brightest Tourism Superstars. Visit County Durham is calling for nominations of anyone working within tourism who has...
Read More about The search is back on for Durham’s Tourism SuperstarsBishop Auckland Workshop
18 May 2022
Join Visit County Durham and other speakers for a Visitor Accommodation Development Workshop on 9th June between 12pm and 4pm at 43 Market Place, Bishop Auckland. Speakers include Visit County Durham, Durham County Council, The Auckland Project, Hotel Solutions and Host & Stay. For more...
Read More about Bishop Auckland Workshop