Industry News
Visit County Durham welcome familiarisation trip
Earlier this month Visit County Durham partnered with Group Leisure and Travel Magazine on a familiarisation visit to the county.
The group was made up of 12 group travel organisers and tour operators who spent two nights in Durham experiencing some of the best it has to offer.
They enjoyed a tailor-made itinerary featuring activities made possible by the support of partners, as well as Park Head Hotel who provided the accommodation.
As well as the season preview of Kynren, the group visited The Auckland Project, Raby Castle, The Bowes Museum and Beamish Museum.
The purpose of the trip is part of Visit County Durham’s activity to grow the value of group travel to the county through the Discover Durham consortium.
A showcase event also gave more Discover Durham members, including Locomotion, Weardale Railway and Northern Secrets, the opportunity to meet the buyers.
The feedback from the visit has been very positive, with many not realising what a strong group offer the county has.
Rob Yandell, publisher of Group Leisure & Travel said: "It was a great pleasure to explore County Durham along with our party of Group Leisure & Travel readers, which included group organisers and coach operators. The feedback from them was incredible and many were already thinking about taking groups back to the region. I wasn't surprised, as it was a brilliant fam trip that showcased so much of what's on offer. From The Auckland Project and Raby Castle, to Kynren and Beamish Museum, it's a haven for tour groups in the north east."
Michelle Gorman, managing director, Visit County Durham said: “Group travel is an important part of the county’s visitor economy. Familiarisation visits such as this one in partnership with Group Leisure and Travel Magazine showcases the county to buyers from across the country with the aim of them returning to the county, staying in our accommodation and visiting multiple attractions.’
Several of the group travel organisers on the visit have already confirmed that they will be booking multi-day visits.
Group Travel and Leisure Magazine will be featuring editorial on the visit in their next edition, giving Durham even more exposure.