Sussex makes millions from tourists

7:18am Wednesday 14th May 2008

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Tourism in Sussex is booming, with holidaymakers boosting the county's economy by hundreds of millions of pounds each year.

Latest figures for Worthing and Mid Sussex show that the sector is in robust health at a time when other industries are in crisis due to the global credit crunch.

Research from Tourism South East reveals that Worthing had almost two million visitors in 2006, who spent a combined £107 million.

And tourism officials are hoping for an even better 2008 after securing the world famous Bognor birdman competition.

The year got off to an incredible start when thousands of sightseers flocked to the town to witness more than 2,000 tonnes of wood washed up on the beach after the Ice Prince sank.

Worthing is expecting even bigger crowds when it stages the birdman rally in July, when the town will also host a children's parade.

But Councillor Bob Smytherman, tourism spokesman for the Lib Dems on Worthing Borough Council, said the town was selling itself short.

He claimed Worthing wasn't in the same league as rival south coast resorts such as Littlehampton and Bognor when it came to promotion, and called on the council to increase its £55,000 annual tourism budget spent on holiday brochures and marketing.

However, Conservative leader Keith Mercer dismissed his call, saying the sum was perfectly adequate.

The Tourism South East report revealed that 1.6 million people came on daytrips and 287,401 stayed for longer, providing employment for 3,135 people.

Coun Mercer said: "A similar study was done about ten years ago and the economic impact was then about £60 million."

Figures for 2005 showed that visitors spent almost £86 million, although Worthing tourism officials said this cannot be compared to the 2006 figures because the way the data was complied has changed significantly.

In Mid Sussex, the value of tourism was reported as more than £200 million each year.

The Tourism South East report found that the district is predominantly a day visitor destination with more that 3.4m visitors spending over £110m Holidaymakers staying overnight contributed about £84 million to the economy.

Councillor Garry Wall, cabinet member for leisure and outdoor services, said: "Tourism is a key part of the Mid Sussex economy and we must do all we can to promote the wonderful attractions we have.

"Tourism brings money to Mid Sussex from outside the area and this extra income benefits everyone in the District, not just those businesses traditionally associated with tourism."

"Mid Sussex has much to offer as far as tourism is concerned, with the South Downs, High Weald, beautiful gardens, the bluebell railway and heritage sites on our doorstep."

How could Sussex attract more tourists? Have your say below.