Southend-on-Sea is definitely the place to be.
That was the clear message from delegates at Southend Tourism Partnership’s first conference held at the Forum Southend-on-Sea.
They gathered to hear latest developments and share news to make sure Southend’s 6.5 million visitors will continue to enjoy the warmest of welcomes – and stay for longer.
Representatives of the borough’s tourism businesses, such as visitor accommodation, destinations, and travel opportunities, met to help celebrate and grow the tourism sector’s 6,000 jobs and £380m contribution to the local economy
The event, which took place during English Tourism Week, was the inaugural conference for Southend Tourism Partnership which was formed last year.
Those attending heard about forthcoming events including the new Radical Essex arts project aimed at bringing new audiences to the town and surrounding areas. More details of this are on the Radical Essex Facebook Page
Business Improvement District (BID) manager Alison Dewey described the new merged website being developed to benefit Southend BID as well as tourism organisations across the borough.
This is due to be unveiled later in the spring.
Delegates were introduced to the Beach Club – where a new operator is taking on water sports and associated skills at the Council’s former marine activity centre site.
They also heard about Southend Tourism Partnership’s outstanding results so far in promoting the town in Holland with the Airport as a partner.
New c2c rail initiatives targeting visitors from across the south east were also announced.
Jacqui Dallimore the MD of the Roslin Hotel who chairs Southend Tourism Partnership opened the event and said: “I am passionate about Southend and this partnership is making progress and growing in numbers.”
Mary Betson, Executive Councillor for Enterprise, Tourism and the Economic Development, added. “We are a major seaside destination and we need to work together as Council and businesses to get our message through all the competition.
“It’s clear that the expectations of tourists – both from the local area and further afield – are evolving and we’re united in our aim to encourage people to stay overnight, rather than just take a day trip, and to deliver a visitor experience that will keep visitors coming back.”
For further information on the Southend Tourism Partnership, please visit: http://www.visitsouthend.co.uk/Business-on-Sea-Coastal-Communities-Team.aspx