Visit East Anglia (VEA) has launched a promotion to attract more Dutch visitors following a successful bid under the Government’s GREAT UK Challenge Fund.

VEA attended a five-day a tourism exhibition in Utrecht last month to promote Suffolk and Norfolk, with the campaign also including a series of short promotional films, itineraries for Dutch visitors on the VEA website and advertising in Dutch media.

There will also be a showcase event at the British Embassy residency in The Hague during English Tourism Week (March 5 to 13), supported by the New Anglia Local Enterprise Partnership (LEP).

“The aim for this £150,000 project is to grow the number of visitors from Holland by 2%, which would mean a £1million boost to the region’s visitor economy,” said VEA executive director Pete Waters. “Despite our shared history, there is low awareness of Norfolk and Suffolk in the Netherlands so this GREAT campaign is our first step to address that.”

The funding from the GREAT Britain campaign has been part matched by transport operators Abellio Greater Anglia and Stena Line.

“Working with Abellio we will be encouraging travel by rail, and by using Stena Line a visitor can have a relaxing journey and then start their break as soon as they leave the ferry at Harwich,” added Mr Waters.

New Anglia LEP chairman Mark Pendlington said: “The Netherlands is one of our closest neighbours; we share a centuries-old trading partnership and friendship, which this campaign consolidates and promotes well into the 21st Century.

“The campaign culminates in a prestigious event at the British Ambassador’s residence, which will showcase all that is extraordinary about the East – beautiful landscapes, seascapes and woodlands, complemented by the vibrancy of the city of Norwich and Ipswich’s great maritime heritage.

“We are delighted to sponsor this event, and fly the flag for Suffolk and Norfolk in the Netherlands.”