Destination management organisation Visit County Durham has launched a campaign that lets people enjoy a virtual visit to the county, from the safety of their sofa.
With all national and international marketing activity delivered by Visit County Durham to encourage visits to the county now paused in light of the COVID-19 outbreak, the focus has quickly moved towards supporting businesses and providing people who were planning to visit Durham in the coming weeks, or those for whom the county is on their travel ‘wish list’, with uplifting and inspiring content to be enjoyed at home.
Using the long-standing #LoveDurham hashtag, the ‘#LoveDurham from your sofa’ campaign features virtual tours, videos, craft ideas, recipes, quizzes, Durham trivia, film and TV locations and colouring in sheets depicting some of the county’s iconic locations.
As well as content produced by Visit County Durham, the campaign also showcases content from visitor economy businesses across the county, providing an opportunity to keep their profile raised during these unprecedented times.
Ivor Stolliday, chairman of Visit County Durham, said: “It is vital that we emphasise the Government message to stay at home, but we wanted to do that whilst providing fun and creative ways for visitors to discover and enjoy the county safely.
“Now is not the time for people to visit Durham. For now, we will bring Durham to them, until it is safe to welcome them back to our amazing county with open arms.”
Cllr Joy Allen, Cabinet member for transformation, culture and tourism at Durham County Council, added: “This is a really positive campaign from Visit County Durham.
“It is very hard for us to ask people not to visit our amazing county due to the Coronavirus but absolutely essential that we do so in the interests of protecting the NHS and saving lives.
“This campaign allows people to enjoy everything that is great about our county from the comfort of their own homes – until such time as we are able to welcome them back again with open arms.
“It is also a great way for tourism businesses to keep their profile up at what is a very difficult time for them.”
The website for the campaign is www.thisisdurham.com/fromyoursofa, and will be promoted through social media and e-newsletters.
