Anne-Isabelle Daulon, CEO of the upcoming Eleven Arches in County Durham, UK, has said the benefit of the attraction to the local community is at the heart of the multi-million pound investment.

Bringing an estimated £4.75m (US$6.7m, €6.2m) to the local economy, Eleven Arches’ Kynren show premiering on 2 July, will encourage visitors to the region to maximise their overnight stays, according to Daulon.

“They will visit other local attractions, sleep in hotels and eat in local restaurants,” she said, speaking to Attractions Management. “Overnight guests spent £161 (US$229, €208) per person in County Durham in 2013. By comparison, day trippers spent only £90 (US$128, €116).”

Eleven Arches has the financial backing of multi-millionaire philanthropist and investment manager Jonathan Ruffer, who grew up in the local area and owns Auckland Castle – the site Kynren will play out on. Ruffer, along with Puy du Fou president Nicolas de Villiers, sees Eleven Arches as a catalyst to spark regeneration in the area.

“Both Puy du Fou and Eleven Arches started from the same premise – to regenerate and reinvigorate a region with a show,” said Daulon. “Both Nicolas and Jonathan share the same love for a region and the same passion for history. They also both believe that if you know who you are and where you came from, you will do better in life.

“We will reinvest every year to build the legacy, sustainability and longevity we want to achieve. If people come each year, there'll be more visitors to the castle and surrounding destinations.

For more from Anne-Isabelle Daulon, see the latest edition of Attractions Management, available now.