New hotels alliance set to boost Durham tourism

Leading hotels from across County Durham have joined forces to form a new industry group. Encouraged by County Durham Tourism Partnership, the new Durham Hotels Association met for its inaugural meeting at Ramside Hall Hotel last month.

Melanie Sensicle, chief executive of County Durham Tourism Partnership, said: “The new Durham Hotels Association is a giant step forward for the county’s tourism industry and one we have encouraged strongly. For the first time, our major hotels will work together, share intelligence, and provide a collective drive to position Durham as one of the UK’s leading visitor destinations.”

The new association brings together 25 large hotels and venues to look at market trends, share intelligence and act as an important sounding board for CDTP.

It will also act as a natural partner for the Durham Attractions Group, consisting of leading visitor attractions, which was formed by CDTP in December 2006.

Deborah Haines, general manager of the new Radisson SAS Hotel Durham – set to open on November 1 – has been appointed chair of the association.

“Durham has enormous potential as a visitor destination and its new Hotels Association recognises the great benefits in collaborating on key tourism projects.

We will work closely with County Durham Tourism Partnership to make sure that where appropriate, initiatives and activities are joined up in such a way that they benefit and grow the wider county economy, something which contributes to the success of our individual businesses and those of other accommodation providers.”

Tourism is currently worth £589 million to County Durham, contributing £1.6 million to the economy per day, and sustaining 12,000 jobs.

The new Durham Hotels Association is composed of the following hotels and organisations:

Radisson SAS Hotel Durham
Durham Marriott Hotel Royal County
The Honest Lawyer Hotel
Durham University
Hardwick Hall Hotel
Ramside Hall Hotel
Seaham Hall Hotel & Serenity Spa
Whitworth Hall Hotel
Helme Park Hotel
Headlam Hall Hotel
The Bowes Museum
Sedgefield Racecourse
The Morritt Arms Hotel
Durham County Cricket Club
The Premier Inn Durham City
Ushaw College