Partner Article

Site aims to boost visitor numbers

A NEW website has been launched to boost conference and meetings business in County Durham.

The site, www.meetindurham.co.uk, has been created by tourism agency Visit County Durham, with support from regional development agency One North East, to promote the county as a place to meet and do business.

The meetings industry was worth more than £40m in 2008-9 but the county has ambitious plans to grow the market by 10 per cent over the next three years.

Kate Smith, chair of the Durham Hotels Association, said: “Britain is spoilt for choice when it comes to contemporary urban cities offering arguably generic, standard conference facilities.

Durham offers something more inspiring and unusual to meetings planners, from Norman Castles to country house hotels in stunning landscapes, world class sporting venues and purpose built academic environments.

The meetings industry is vital to fill the gaps left by leisure visitors, occupying hotel rooms midweek and in the quiet shoulder seasons, bolstering the economy and supporting jobs for local people.“

Major players in Durham’s hospitality industry have signed up to support the new website, including Radisson Blu Hotel Durham, Emirates Durham International Cricket Ground, Event Durham – the business and conference arm of Durham University – Durham Marriott Hotel Royal County, Ramside Hall Hotel and Golf Club, Barcelo Redworth Hall Hotel, Hardwick Hall Hotel at Sedgefield and Headlam Hall Hotel and Spa in Teesdale.

Melanie Sensicle, chief executive of Visit County Durham, said: “Durham City and county has been world famous as a seat of learning and intellectual discovery for centuries. Organisations cannot fail to be inspired by an environment that has produced so many world changing ideas. Durham is the ideal place to meet.”

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Ruth Mitchell .