Bid to build on day-trip market

Choose Suffolk has produced 350,000 copies of a promotional brochure to attract more visitors to the county.

The tourism body says Suffolk’s day-trip market generates 23m visits annually and last year was worth �2.4m-a-day to the county’s economy.

Brigit Parker, marketing manager at Choose Suffolk, said the organisation was keen to build on the staycation phenomenon that came to prominence during the financial crisis when consumers chose to save money by holidaying in their own countries.

She said: “It is crucial that we continue working hard to tell people about all the fantastic attractions in Suffolk in order to get them here and encourage them to return.

“The tourism economy continues to benefit from the staycation phenomenon and we feel people are making a positive choice to holiday in Suffolk.”

But Ms Parker, who helped launched Choose Suffolk’s Great Days Out campaign in Southwold yesterday, rejected suggestions the county would suffer as the economy picked up.

She said: “We think they have enjoyed what they have experienced and they are continuing to enjoy what Suffolk has to offer.

“I think we always have to be mindful that the tourism day trip market faces intense competition, there’s lots of demands on people’s time and we need to reinforce what good value for money Suffolk offers.”

Choose Suffolk says the new campaign will highlight the vast array of things to do and see in Suffolk, focusing on history, heritage, outdoor activities, food and drink, shopping and arts and events.

“We know that Great Days Out is a fundamental part of a successful tourism strategy,” added Ms Parker “In 2008, for example, the day-trip business was worth �812 million for the year. We want to build on that and make Suffolk the place to come for a day out for all the family.

“It is crucial that we continue working hard to tell people about all the fantastic attractions in Suffolk in order to get them here and encourage them to return.”