Visit County Durham incorporated - the first destination management organisation is established for Durham; the team starts to arrive from June 2006 and work gets underway.
Wednesday Grapevine, a business to business e-newsletter, is launched, with more than 600 editions to date. The county's first destination management plan is produced. The Durham Tourism Management Plan outlines what will help Durham be successful and is endorsed at a national level. It is recognised by government at all levels as the framework and action plan for County Durham's visitor economy.
Taste Durham food tourism quality scheme is launched. Building on the growing food tourism movement, the scheme highlights the quality food and drink offer in the county, with a focus on local produce. More than 155 eateries across the county have taken part in the scheme.
This is Durham destination brand is launched. Utilised by Visit County Durham and partners across the county, presenting Durham and its products, landscapes and experiences under a single consistent, coherent and compelling brand proposition.
thisisdurham.com launched. Unique visitors to the county's official tourism website have grown from 284,499 annually in 2010, to more than a million (2019, pre-Covid).
VisitEngland names Durham as one of England’s attract brands, resulting in the county being featured in Visit England activity, and supporting the county to fulfil its potential as one of England’s lead destinations.
Visitor Information Network is launched. With 39 locations across the county providing a visitor information provision, the Visitor Information Network won bronze in the Information Provider of the Year category at the 2015 Visit England Awards for Excellence.
England’s Heritage Cities. Durham is a founding member of this important consortium, recognised by Visit England and comprising 13 of the country’s premiere heritage locations from Carlisle to Canterbury and everything in between.
Northern Lands regional rural product development project gets underway. Seven projects delivered as part of the £750,000 scheme, funded by DEFRA, Durham and Northumberland County Councils. Projects included cycle route development; electric bike network development; dark skies tourism; food tourism; infrastructure improvements; and sense of place training programmes.
Northern Tourism Growth Fund. Working in partnership with VisitEngland, VisitBritain and 37 destinations from across the North, Durham was promoted to the US, Australia/New Zealand, Netherlands, Germany and China as part of the £20m fund.