BE part of County Durham’s success – that was the message of a roadshow aimed at dale businesses.
The meeting, held at Enterprise House, heard how Visit County Durham (VCD) is looking to develop partnerships with businesses in Barnard Castle and Teesdale.
Sophie Hardy, communications executive at VCD, said: “By becoming a partner, Teesdale businesses would gain access to tailor-made benefits designed to help promote themselves to the tourism industry.”
VCD already works with 800 tourist businesses, supporting an income of more than £860million to the county, she added.
Ms Hardy said: “By 2020 the aim is to have £1billion of tourism-based income flowing into County Durham.”
In 2017, County Durham had 19.71 million visitors – 2.6 million of those visited Teesdale and Weardale.
Ms Hardy said: “Although this was a five per cent increase on 2016 figures, it
wasn’t all good news – 92 per cent of those visiting were day visitors and had an average spend of £20 per visitor. VCD is working hard to increase the number of overnight stays which will benefit local business.”
More tourists visit the “Vale of Durham” , Teesdale and Weardale than Durham City, the meeting heard. The Vale of Durham is an area the marketing body describes as being from Bishop Auckland to Chester le Street.
Attractions such as Beamish, The Auckland Project, Kynren and Locomotion are all proving a magnet for visitors.
But Ms Hardy said there is not enough overnight accommodation in the “Vale of Durham” and this is where Barnard Castle and Teesdale business could benefit.
Ms Hardy said: “By becoming a VCD partner we can help promote and develop local business. There is an obvious void to be filled with regard to accommodation and encouraging more overnight stays in Teesdale will have benefits for other local business.”
For further information about the Visit County Durham Partnership Scheme call 03000 261228 or email partners@visitcountydurham.
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