A new marketing initiative from Visit County Durham is enlisting the support of bloggers and Instagrammers from across the region to showcase the county to new audiences.
The Blog Squad, featuring a curated group of content partners who will be providing guest blogs for the county’s official tourism website, thisisdurham.com, is part of the Destination Management Organisation’s recovery marketing activity.
Each Blog Squad member is passionate about the region, and is visiting attractions, or taking part in activities, that appeal to their audience, providing a promotional platform for the county’s tourism businesses as they continue to build back from the devastation caused by Covid-19.
The Blog Squad includes Jamie Chance Travels, who combines his passions for photography and travel; Sol Noya, a writer, editor and Durham University graduate from Peru; Melissa Jane Marshall, outdoor activities enthusiast; North East Eats & Kids, providing families with ideas and inspiration for great days out; and Hello Freckles, an award-winning lifestyle and travel blog. And as well as helping to promote the county, the initiative is also supporting the up-and-coming content creators.
Jamie Chance (pictured above), one of the bloggers partnering with Visit County Durham, was thrilled to be asked to be part of the initiative: “I have travelled the world and called different countries home, but I’m now happily putting down roots in the region.
“As Covid-19 brought travel abroad to a halt, I have been exploring much more of my local area and I’m currently on a mission to show that it really isn’t grim up north, so being a member of the Blog Squad is an excellent opportunity to do just that.
“I’m really excited to discover more of Durham and share those experiences, and from what I’ve experienced so far, I am proud to live in and showcase this part of England.”
Michelle Gorman, managing director of Visit County Durham, says: “The This is Durham blog is very popular, but the Blog Squad will enable us to reach new audiences by broadening the themes and imagery featured.
“As the county’s visitor economy continues to recover from the pandemic, it is essential that we support businesses, and inspire new consumers to visit who may not have considered the county before, and this initiative is an opportunity to do just that.
“Working with bloggers and influencers has always been a key part of our strategy to promote the destination, which is even more important in such a competitive domestic holiday marketplace, and with consumers actively seeking ideas and inspiration online.”
Blog squad members will be exploring the county throughout autumn.