A CAMPAIGN to boost tourism in Suffolk by generating media coverage of the county’s top destinations and attractions is to be spearheaded by a company based in Norfolk, it has been revealed.

Jungle PR, which is based at Yaxham, near Dereham, has won a contract to carry out public relations work for the VisitSuffolk organisation for the rest of 2012, including the period of the London Olympics which is widely seen as a major opportunity for boosting tourism.

But while the appointment of a Norfolk company to take on the task of promoting Suffolk might raise eyebrows south of the county border, tourism bosses insist that Jungle demonstrated that it was best for the job.

Keith Brown, chief executive of Visit East Anglia, which is the parent organisation for VisitSuffolk and also covers Norfolk, said that a number of firms from Suffolk had been included on a “long-list” of agencies considered for the contract.

One of these had made it on to a final short-list, together with Jungle PR and a third agency, based outside of the East Anglia region.

The final decision had been made by a dedicated Suffolk marketing panel, consisting of representatives from tourism businesses within the county, and Jungle had been selected as having made the best pitch, taking into account the county’s needs and the criteria laid down, said Mr Brown.

“Of course we wanted Suffolk businesses to have the best possible chance but we had to make a judgement on what would be best for tourism in Suffolk,” he added.

“It was a tough one, but Suffolk tourism business will benefit as a result of this appointment.”

Jungle, whose appointment is subject to regular review, based on its performance as the year progresses, won two gold awards in the 2011 Chartered Institute of Public Relations regional awards, including the Outstanding Small Consultancy title.

Its track record includes work for a variety of clients in the tourism and hospitality sectors, including a number in Suffolk, such as Newmarket Racecourses, Pleasurewood Hills, Somerleyton Hall & Gardens and the Blyth Hotel in Southwold. Clients in Norfolk have included the BeWILDerwood adventure park and the Sprowston Manor hotel and country club.

Kate Morfoot, managing director at Jungle, said: “My team and I are thrilled to have won the Suffolk PR contract as we have the skill set, contacts and brand experience of tourism destinations and attractions in East Anglia including Suffolk.

“Our remit is to gain positive press coverage in the UK press about Suffolk as holiday destination, encouraging more tourism to the area. We are looking forward to engaging with tourism businesses and getting started,” she added.