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.
Destination performance
20.15m
(Visitors Annually)
6.5m
(75 Attractions)
8%
(Overnight Stays)
13,178
(Jobs Within the Industry)
£1.23bn
(Annual Income)
Latest news
Empire Consett to reopen to public
6 Sep 2024
The stage is set for Empire Consett to reopen next week following the completion of remedial works. The County Durham venue, which closed its doors to the public temporarily in February to allow for essential roof works, will reopen on Friday 13 September. Visitors will be able to enjoy the venue’s café, Empire Lounge, from […]
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Ten fascinating experiences to enjoy during Heritage Open Days 2024
6 Sep 2024
Behind the scenes tours, guided history walks, special train rides and free entry to some of the region’s most popular attractions – County Durham is all set for Heritage Open Days 2024. Across the county, museums, heritage sites, ancient churches and historic gardens will be throwing their doors open for free or offering exclusive experiences […]
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Going for Growth - Host & Stay announces Strategic Investment from Growth Partner to Accelerate Expansion and Innnovation
6 Sep 2024
Host & Stay are delighted to announce that Growth Partner, a consumer-specialist investment firm backed by HomeServe Founder Richard Harpin, has completed a significant £10.5 million investment in Host & Stay. Host & Stay are a rapidly growing holiday let and short-term rental management business, with a market disrupting model, to support its buy-and-build strategy, […]
Read More about Going for Growth - Host & Stay announces Strategic Investment from Growth Partner to Accelerate Expansion and InnnovationSuppliers to industry
Durham Catering
Durham Catering offers a unique personal service to both Businesses and Private Individuals throughout the Durham Dales, Durham City and Beyond. Specialising in Simply cooked Locally Sourced Foods concentrating on freshness, presentation and superb service we are perfectly placed for a factory opening Ceremony, a celebration dinner for 200 or a small intimate dinner party […]
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The HUB & MINT Business Club
The HUB Consett has a selection of training spaces available to hire. Once a month our sister company MINT Business Club uses our large training space for its own unique training program. MINT is a community of small like-minded business owners who want to run successful businesses and grow their businesses in the right way. […]
Read More about The HUB & MINT Business Club
Rural Business Network
Rural Business Network is a UK-wide community of farming families and rural business owners who want to learn, connect and grow their business. Supporting your rural business journey How do we support you? 👉 We run member-only events, where you will learn from experts on a wide range of subjects from business planning and marketing to […]
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The HUB Consett Market place
With over 65 stockists The Market Place is a catalogue of small and micro businesses looking to grow their businesses within the North East. Our small business community is a hive of thriving small businesses always looking out for the next opportunity to grow and prosper in the local area.
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Visit County Durham latest
Boost for Durham as new developments drive growth in the visitor economy
Latest tourism figures show a major boost for Durham’s economy as the county builds on its bumper £1bn milestone achieved in 2022, with new attractions playing a key role in helping the county reach a new record.
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Latest tourism figures for Durham build on bumper £1bn milestone
The latest STEAM* figures, which calculate the volume and value of the county’s visitor economy, show that Durham has continued to build on the bumper £1bn milestone achieved in 2022, with results showing expenditure rose by 18.8% in 2023, to £1.23bn. Overall, 20.15 million people visited the county, an increase of 12.5%. Durham also recorded […]
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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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Kynren volunteer crowned Durham Tourism Superstar 2024
A key member of one of Durham’s star attractions has been crowned Durham Tourism Superstar 2024. Wendy Wilshere, Head of Casting and Engagement at 11 Arches- the organisation behind Kynren, secured the most public votes in the annual competition, which is organised by Visit County Durham, Durham County Council’s tourism service.
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Calling all County Durham tourism businesses, VisitEngland and The AA UK have launched their modernised Quality Assessment schemes, including a new Visitor Ready scheme.
You can learn more about the Visitor Ready scheme and apply here 👇 https://visitorready.com
Auckland Castle, the historic residence of the Prince Bishops of Durham and cornerstone of The Auckland Project in Bishop Auckland, will now be known as Auckland Palace.
This transition reflects the culmination of the biggest phase of development at this historic site for centuries, and ...honours its rich heritage as the palatial seat of the Prince Bishops.
Find out more here 👇
https://www.visitcountydurham.org/news/auckland-castle-renamed-auckland-palace-in-celebration-of-major-redevelopment-milestone/
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.../
Have you thought about becoming a partner with Visit County Durham?
Our Partnership brings benefits through promoting and developing any type or size of business.
Don't just take our word for it, take a look at some of our fantastic reviews here 👇
...https://www.visitcountydurham.org/testimonials/
If you would like to know more or sign up, you can contact us here 👇 https://www.visitcountydurham.org/partnership-overview/
Businesses can request copies of the 2024 Durham Pocket Guide, free of charge, to make available to their customers.
Copies of the county’s official tourism publication will be distributed throughout the region, playing an important role in inspiring visitors and residents, by providing ...information on things to see and do, and places to eat.
Request your copies by emailing 👇
visitor@thisisdurham.com
The Pocket Guide can also be downloaded here 👉https://www.visitcountydurham.org/official-visitor-guide/
A series of specialist markets is set to launch across County Durham, thanks to funding from the UK Government through the Shared Prosperity Fund that provides pride in place by investing in communities across the UK.
Durham County Council has partnered with social enterprise BACCANALIA to ...organise these bespoke events, bringing an array of unique markets to town centres across the county.
Read more here 👇
https://www.visitcountydurham.org/news/specialist-markets-to-launch-across-county-durham/
📣 This week's Grapevine is out now, read the latest about-
▪️ Destination Regenerative
▪️ Awards deadline approaching
▪️ Public exhibition
▪️ DDP Update
Find out more here 👇
https://tinyurl.com/y9c26r64
Discover some amazing offers from our Supplier Partners....from special rates with 3D Virtual Spaces to FREE Digital courses with East Durham College
Take a closer look here 👇
https://www.visitcountydurham.org/supplier-offers/