Spring into Action for Durhams Rural Tourism Conference

Places are now available for a free conference in March aiming to grow the economic value of tourism in rural communities. Visit County Durham is inviting tourism businesses from across the county to attend their free Spring Industry Conference. Highlighting the significant potential that rural tourism offers the local economy it will ta!e place at the Hardwic! Hall Hotel Sedgefield from "# noon on $hursday "%th March. &ural tourism offers significant growth potential for Durham's visitor economy and this event will focus on how Durham can benefit from the national support available identify priorities hear about success stories as well as discuss the (ational &ural $ourism )ction Plan *#+"+,#+#+- which aims to ma.imise the potential of the rural tourism offer across /ngland. )n e.pert line,up of spea!ers will focus on rural tourism developments and how businesses could benefit. $hese include0 Malcolm 1ell head of tourism at Visit Cornwall who as the author of the Visit/ngland (ational &ural $ourism )ction Plan will e.plain the national conte.t for rural tourism development )nnette Cole senior country sports manager for the 1ritish )ssociation of Shooting and Conservation who will present on rural locations becoming premier destinations for country sports and Michael 1oase manager of 2illhope0 the (orth of /ngland Mining Museum who will discuss how tourist attractions operate and succeed in rural locations Melanie Sensicle chief e.ecutive of Visit County Durham said0 3$ourism has enormous potential to help Durham's economy succeed and the Spring Industry Conference is the perfect opportunity for a business to discuss how to grow tourism in rural locations. $his conference will be a valuable event for anyone with an interest in rural affairs and play an important role in driving the county forward.4 $he Visit County Durham Spring Industry Conference is ta!ing place between "#.++pm and "5."%pm on the "%th March #+"# at Hardwic! Hall Hotel Sedgefield. Places are free but numbers are limited , to reserve a place please email business6visitcountydurham.org or call +7+++ #5" #78.

ENDS For further information please contact: Debbie Sharratt, Interim Senior R, !isit Count" Durham T: #$### %&'%%$ ( #)*&$ *++%,# or email: -ebbie.sharratt/0isitcount"-urham.org Visit County Durham *VCD- is a not,for,profit private sector company that is funded by Durham County Council and supported by 9ne (orth /ast. It wor!s on behalf of tourism businesses and with partners across the county and performs the role of destination management and mar!eting for County Durham.