Visitor Summit
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Since the Visitor Summit in 2020 we have been working hard to promote East Sussex as a quality tourist destination. Here are the details of the activity undertaken so far:
Our aims
The first stage was to find out what potential visitors like doing by surveying over 100,000 people. Based on what 3,000 people told us we found out what they like to experience in our County. The next stage is to tell them what is available to them and where it is happening, and we will make it easy for them to book the perfect venue in the County.
- In early 2021 we conducted a Visitor Survey of UK residents and asked them what would make them visit East Sussex. We gathered vital data from over 3,000 people who told us how they book their holidays, who they go with and what they like to do when they are away. If you would like to see the valuable data gathered on an easy to read report, click here.
- As 87% of people research and book their visits online we have acquired funding to carry out Search Engine Optimisation for independent hotels and guesthouses in Eastbourne. If you would like to take part in this, email us here.
- We are also developing a Staycation Digital Platform. This will allow us to respond to the surveys sent in to tell people when and where the activities they are interested in are taking place. The first test email is due out in March 2022.
Our aims
- To encourage visitors to stay longer and visit more activities. The average stay is just 4 hours! We want to encourage these visitors to stay for at least one night.
- To encourage overnight visitors to stay for two more days.
- To encourage British Nationals who have not considered East Sussex to visit us.
- To make people aware of the variety of attractions available in our beautiful, unspoilt County.
The first stage was to find out what potential visitors like doing by surveying over 100,000 people. Based on what 3,000 people told us we found out what they like to experience in our County. The next stage is to tell them what is available to them and where it is happening, and we will make it easy for them to book the perfect venue in the County.
Nigel Huddleston MP
Minister for Tourism
At the Summit experts shared how they are handling the pandemic
The Minister for Tourism, Nigel Huddleston, introduced our summit and confirmed that he will support us in promoting Sussex. This was followed by an introduction to Sussex Modern and details of the free busininess support available to help us all to recover from the pandemic. (Details below.)
The expert panel was highly illuminating with Alex Polizzi, Channel 5's Hotel Inspector and owner of The Polizzi Collection, Mark Driver of Rathfinny Wine Estate, Nathaniel Hepburn of the Charleston Trust, Nick White of Bistrot Pierre UK and Andrew Younger, Director of the largest pub group in the UK, the Stonegate Group.
The panellists discussed the challenges they are each facing and the actions they have taken to protect their businesses. While it became clear that we are all in this together, we learnt that they are very positive about the future. The pandemic has forced many businesses to become leaner and fitter which will help us all to Survive, Revive and Thrive.
Top Tips
Over 160 people attended the summit which was hosted online by ACES, the Alliance of Chambers in East Sussex, and was supported by East Sussex County Council, Your Eastbourne BID, the Eastbourne Hospitality Association, Prowse PR and Marketing, Eastbourne Borough Council and the Sussex MPs Caroline Ansell, Sally-Ann Hart and Huw Merriman. Unfortunately Nus Ghani was not able to join us.
The Minister for Tourism, Nigel Huddleston, introduced our summit and confirmed that he will support us in promoting Sussex. This was followed by an introduction to Sussex Modern and details of the free busininess support available to help us all to recover from the pandemic. (Details below.)
The expert panel was highly illuminating with Alex Polizzi, Channel 5's Hotel Inspector and owner of The Polizzi Collection, Mark Driver of Rathfinny Wine Estate, Nathaniel Hepburn of the Charleston Trust, Nick White of Bistrot Pierre UK and Andrew Younger, Director of the largest pub group in the UK, the Stonegate Group.
The panellists discussed the challenges they are each facing and the actions they have taken to protect their businesses. While it became clear that we are all in this together, we learnt that they are very positive about the future. The pandemic has forced many businesses to become leaner and fitter which will help us all to Survive, Revive and Thrive.
Top Tips
- "Spend as much money as you can afford on your IT and digital communications"
- "Include a Health and Wellbeing message in all communications"
- "Don't procrastinate when making tough decisions but do take advice beforehand"
- "Work together with your competitiors and with other sectors"
- "Collaboration is the key to success"
Over 160 people attended the summit which was hosted online by ACES, the Alliance of Chambers in East Sussex, and was supported by East Sussex County Council, Your Eastbourne BID, the Eastbourne Hospitality Association, Prowse PR and Marketing, Eastbourne Borough Council and the Sussex MPs Caroline Ansell, Sally-Ann Hart and Huw Merriman. Unfortunately Nus Ghani was not able to join us.
Click on each photo to link to their website
Watch the Conference
Feedback
The meeting was fast paced and to the point and will be repeated in the new year to go through actions taken as a result of the summit. It included:
- Minister for Tourism, Nigel Huddleston MP
- Driving the Sussex Visitor Economy
- Leading Through Lockdown
- Expert Panel with Q&A
- Summary by Rupert Clubb, ESCC Director of Communities, Economy and Transport
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Dedicated support for your business -
free of charge Business support programmes are available to help you to find your way through the pandemic with the assistance of your own dedicated business mentor - free of charge.
If you are based in Lewes, Eastbourne or Wealden visit Edeal Enterprise Agency For Rother or Hastings visit the Let's Do Business Group For Grant Funding up to £150,000 visit Let's Do Business Finance For a grant of between £2,000 and £170,000 visit Invest4 Grant Funding |
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Panellists
Click on each photograph for their Wikipedia or LinkedIn profiles
- Nigel Huddleston is a businessman and politician who was appointed Parliamentary Under Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport with responsibility for Sport, Tourism and Heritage in February this year.
- Alex Polizzi is a family member of the Forte hotel dynasty, an entrepreneur and a well known TV personality. She has helped many businesses discover better ways of working and will share her ideas for promoting your business and this beautiful part of the country.
- Nick White is the CEO / investor of the successful Bistrot Pierre UK restaurant group.
- Mark Driver owns the Rathfinny Wine Estate with his wife Sarah. Having worked in the city as a hedge fund manager the couple decided to follow their dreams and developed the largest vineyard in the UK.
- Nathaniel Hepburn is CEO of the Charleston Trust. Based at the Charleston farmhouse nestling in the leeward side of the downs near Firle, the farm was the home of the 'Bloomsbury Set', pioneers of early 20th century British art.
- Andrew Younger is the Divisional Director for Stonegate’s leased and tenanted arm covering London and the South East of England. He has responsibility for c 600 pubs and has been with Ei Group /Stonegate since 2013.
We were joined by local Sussex MPs
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Click on each picture for more information |
Summary and Next Steps
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Rupert Clubb, Director of Communities, Transport and Economic Development at East Sussex County Council summed up the Summit and gave ideas for our next steps. If you have suggestions to improve the economy of the County or would like to attend the next visitor summit in 2021 email us here. |
"Sussex is a well kept secret..... it's time we told the world about it!"
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