The man at the forefront of the body promoting tourism in County Durham is standing down after 14 years of sterling service.

Ivor Stolliday has announced he is to retire next month from chairing the Visit County Durham Ltd board a post to which he was appointed in 2009.

Mr Stolliday has been described as proving a dedicated and inspirational ambassador for the county during his term in office.

As Durham’s destination management organisation (DMO) and the county council’s tourism service, Visit County Durham plays an important role growing the county’s visitor economy.

Read more: New chapter for Ivor

Mr Stolliday, who has lived in the county for more than 30 years, is passionate about how tourism enriches communities, grows civic pride and provides employment opportunities for local people.

During his tenure, Durham’s visitor economy has seen significant growth and now generates almost £1 billion each year, with Visit County Durham’s destination management model recognised as best practice internationally.

More than 11,000 people are employed in the sector and, with major developments underway across the county, the figure is set to grow further.

During his 14 years in office there has been a transition with Visit County Durham moving from being one of four regional tourism agencies to its current position as one of the first DMOs in the country to be accredited as a Local Visitor Economy Partnership by VisitEngland.

The national body’s confidence in Visit County Durham and the wider region has been further demonstrated by its decision to pilot England’s first Destination Development Partnership, alongside the NewcastleGateshead Initiative and Visit Northumberland.

But there have been challenges to overcome during Mr Stolliday’s period at the helm, most notably with the Covid outbreak, which had a devastating impact on tourism and hospitality businesses, but from which the county’s visitor economy has emerged more resilient and innovative as pre-pandemic performance is already in reach.

Read more: Meet the man tasked with maximising County Durham's potential as a tourism destination

Through the highs and the lows, he has remained a fervent ambassador for the county, representing it at events across the country.

He is to retire at the end of June, after which Duncan Peake, a current Visit County Durham board director and chief executive of Raby Estates, will serve as interim chair until a formal appointment is made.

Mr Stolliday said: “I have lived in the county for thirty years and intend to remain.

“I have seen huge changes in that time, from a place with a sense of loss, to a beautiful place with a renewed optimism and bright future.

“It has been a privilege to be part of that change, and to do whatever I could to help our visitor economy, the businesses and the people of this remarkable county that I call home.”

Michelle Gorman, managing director of Visit County Durham, has worked closely with Mr Stolliday since he became chair, in 2009.

She said: “Ivor has supported the Visit County Durham board, team and tourism sector through the highs and lows of the last 14 years.

“His enthusiasm, extraordinary commitment and ability to bring people together have helped Durham to become the thriving visitor destination it is today.

“On behalf of everyone at Visit County Durham, I would like to thank Ivor for everything he has done for Durham and wish him the best of luck in his future endeavours.”

He also thanked Mr Peake for agreeing to serve as interim chair.

“As chief executive of Raby Estates, overseeing major developments at some of Durham’s biggest visitor attractions, Duncan is perfectly placed to see us through this time of change.”

Read next:

* 15 years of shining the spotlight on Durham

* Visit County Durham recruits four new directors

* Tourism body appoints permanent head

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Councillor Elizabeth Scott, Durham County Council’s cabinet member for economy and partnerships and a Visit County Durham Ltd board director, said: “It has been a pleasure to work alongside Ivor to develop Durham’s visitor economy, which makes such a valuable contribution to the county’s economy.

“Ivor’s love for Durham, it’s landscapes, heritage, culture and people, shines through and he will be a great miss to the board.”

Further information about Visit County Durham can be found on www.visitcountydurham.org, its website.