TOURISM is still performing well despite challenging trading conditions, according to the new councillor in charge of the sector.

Alan Robins, lead councillor for tourism on Brighton and Hove City Council, was speaking at an event hosted by VisitBrighton, the council’s tourism arm, celebrating signing up its 500th partner business.

Coun Robins said: “Despite the challenging trading conditions Brighton and Hove is still performing well in tourism terms. "The city has seen a rise in the number of overseas staying visitors for the fifth consecutive year, making Brighton and Hove the most popular UK seaside destination for international tourists.”

The 500th member of VisitBrihgton was Rendezvous Café, a new cafe and art gallery on Duke Street, run by couple Ivan Dong and Shawn Zhang from China, who came to Brighton and Hove for an afternoon in October 2012 and fell so much in love with the city they decided to open a business here.

Ivan said: “Brighton is such a vibrant and fascinating city, we were completely bowled over by the warmth of the people we met. It draws such an interesting mix of visitors and residents that we instantly felt at home and didn’t want to leave.

“We’re delighted to be joining VisitBrighton as the 500th business Partner. As a new business our budgets are tight, so it’s great that the partnership scheme offers a collection of distinct benefits for a relatively small single fee.”