A key member of one of Durham’s star attractions has been crowned Durham Tourism Superstar 2024.

Wendy Wilshere, Head of Casting and Engagement at 11 Arches- the organisation behind Kynren, secured the most public votes in the annual competition, which is organised by Visit County Durham, Durham County Council’s tourism service.

Wendy initially joined Kynren as a volunteer in 2016, giving up hundreds of hours of her own time to make the production a success.

Eight years on and she has recently become an employed team member and her role is integral to making the production a success each year.  Wendy works closely with the 1,000 volunteers making sure the show runs smoothly with the award-winning production attracting visitors from across the country and beyond.

Colleagues and volunteers say they feel very lucky to work alongside Wendy as her passion for Kynren is infectious, as is her pride and the beaming smile on her face.

Wendy will now go forward as Visit County Durham’s nomination for the VisitEngland and Mirror Travel National Tourism Superstar contest.

Duncan Peake, Interim Chair of Visit County Durham Ltd, said: “It is fantastic to see such a high calibre group of finalists being nominated as Durham Tourism Superstar 2024.  All five of the finalists play a key role within their organisations which are so important to the growth of the tourism sector in Co Durham. Wendy is such a worthy winner- her dedication to Kynren has enhanced the production for volunteers and audiences alike.

Durham Tourism Superstar is all about celebrating the shining stars in our sector and Wendy certainly shines brightly!  I would also like to congratulate the other finalists and nominees. We now wish Wendy well as our nominee for VisitEngland’s national tourism superstar.”

Wendy said: ‘It feels amazing to win I didn’t expect it at all, but it is fantastic.  It is a celebration of all we do at Kynren. There was some stiff competition, there were some really good entries.  I’m just really pleased to have won.’

Wendy was nominated for the prize alongside staff and volunteers from a range of visitor attractions. The other finalists were James Kidwell- Park Marshall at Diggerland, Jonathan Raper of Teesdale Cheese, Stephen Houghton- Head Gardner at South Causey Inn and Andrew Ross, Tour Guide and Ghost Whisper at Walking with The Ghosts of Durham.

Over the last decade, three individuals from Durham have gone on to win the national Tourism Superstar title: Emily Hope (Beamish Museum), Lillian Groves (Durham Cathedral) and Matthew Henderson (Beamish Museum).

Cllr Amanda Hopgood, Durham County Council leader and North East Combined Authority Cabinet member for culture, creative, tourism and sport said: ‘Durham’s tourism industry is incredibly important, and it is the work of people like Wendy that make Durham the amazing destination it is today.

The value of the county’s visitor economy was £1.23bn last year, attracting over 20 million people as well as supporting jobs and encouraging investment.

Durham Tourism Superstar is our chance to celebrate the individuals at the heart of the industry and thank them for everything they do. Well done to Wendy, the other finalists and all those nominated.”