THE East Sussex tourism industry can boost business by offering more sustainable experiences and services.

That was the message to more than 50 tourism and hospitality experts and business people attending a University of Brighton Wish You Were Here event aimed at exploring latest consumer trends and how to increase trade.

Moderator, Professor Marina Novelli, the University’s Professor of Tourism and International Development, said: “Visitors are increasingly demanding environmentally-sustainable experiences at unique locations such as the South Downs National Park, and they want locally-produced food and drinks and more local cultural attractions such as art galleries, museums and vineyards.

“Every local business can engage in different shades of the green tourism agenda and can attract a growing segment of environmentally-conscious travellers.”

Professor Novelli is lead for the university’s Responsible Futures which aims to contribute to a more just and environmentally-sustainable society through the development of research and enterprise collaborations with local, national and international industry partners.

She said: “Sourcing food locally, embracing renewable energy, encouraging domestic tourists to visit local attractions are just some of the actions they can take.”

Wish You Were Here, held at Bexhill’s De La Warr Pavilion, was run in partnership with VisitEngland as part of the English Tourism Week, and was organised by the university’s Green Growth Platform, a network delivering business growth support to green businesses.

Richard James, from Alfriston’s Rathfinny Wine Estate, spoke on the sustainable management of their vineyard and how this has embraced working with local suppliers and community members.

The quality wine they produce, the locally-sourced food served in their restaurant and the furnishing of their visitor accommodation, he said, were testament to their commitment to green tourism.

He also highlighted how securing the Protected Denomination of Origin stamp for their Sussex produced wine has helped put the county on the map internationally.

Sally Ann Lycett, director of external affairs for the De La Warr Pavilion, said her Grade 1 listed building had been transformed to be more environmentally-friendly.

Another popular green attraction was the coastal cultural trail for cyclists and walkers which links the De La Warr Pavilion, Hastings’ Jerwood Gallery and Eastbourne’s Towner Gallery.

Keri Portas, Insights Consultant at VisitEngland, detailed the latest national tourism trends and how they impacted locally.

In East Sussex, she said, 76 per cent of tourism spend is by the domestic audience and the county is the 12th most popular in the country for staycations. She too highlighted the county’s green tourism potential.

Participants were informed about grants from the Low Carbon Across the South East programme which are aimed at helping local business reduce energy bills and their carbon footprint, measures that can attract more aware consumers who expect their holiday destinations to reflect green tourism standards.

Professor Novelli said: “It is important for local businesses to embrace green tourism practices as it makes business sense.

“With East Sussex being such a popular tourist destination, we have the opportunity to be at the forefront of the green tourism agenda nationally and internationally.”

For more information on Responsible Futures, go to: http://bit.ly/2GPag9f and for more information on the University’s Green Growth Platform, go to: http://bit.ly/2GQKwcI

East Sussex hosts many popular tourist attractions, from Rye all the way to Lewes and beyond.