THE SEARCH is on to find Durham’s next Tourism Superstar - with the hope the winner will go on to score a hat-trick for the county by scooping the national award.
Visit County Durham (VCD) launched its third annual competition, run in association with VisitEngland and The Northern Echo, at the organisation’s annual spring conference held at Headlam Hall Hotel yesterday (Thursday, April 28).
The competition aims to find a person who goes above and beyond their day job in tourism to ensure visitors to the county have a great experience.
Last year’s competition was won by Lilian Groves, a volunteer tour guide at Durham Cathedral, who also went on to win VisitEngland’s Tourism Superstar 2016 award.
She followed in the footsteps of Matthew Henderson, engagement & participation team assistant at Beamish Museum, who won the inaugural Durham Tourism Superstar award, and similarly went on to scoop the national award.
Visit County Durham managing director Michelle Gorman said: “I’m absolutely delighted to announce that Visit County Durham is running another local campaign this year and would urge people to enter - we are looking forward to discovering even more superstars.”
Helping to launch the awards were VCD board member Sandra Whitefield, who runs award-winning Low Urpeth Farm at Chester-le-Street, and Cllr Neil Foster, Durham County Council’s Cabinet member for economic regeneration and culture.
Cllr Foster said: “It’s been a brilliant two years for us.
“Durham Tourism Superstar helps raise the profile of Durham and put us on the national stage for offering visitors a great welcome and fantastic experience.
“Durham Tourism Superstar is a fantastic opportunity to promote your business and to recognise that individual who goes the extra mile.”
Entrants can download a nomination form at: http://www.visitcountydurham.org/opportunities/durham-tourism-superstar or by emailing business@visitcountydurham.org.
The closing date for nominations is June 10. Following this a 10-name shortlist will be drawn up.
Visit County Durham has teamed up with The Northern Echo to host an online public vote where people will be able to vote for their favourite from the finalists.
The winner will be announced by The Northern Echo and will receive their award at the Visit County Durham Garden Party in July.
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