Details of how a £500,000 grant will be spent to help boost tourism along the Suffolk coast will be given at conference next month.

The event on March 24 is being held by the Suffolk Coast DMO (Destination Management Organisation), which is now responsible for promoting tourism along the county’s coastline from Felixstowe to Lowestoft.

Its free spring conference will outline its plans for the year ahead and encourage businesses to get on board.

Key note speaker will be Sandra Matthews-Marsh, chief executive of Visit Kent and chairman of The Tourism Society, who will share views and insights on successful destination promotion and partnership work.

During the event partnership organisations will explain how the £490,000 Coastal Community Fund (CCF) grant will be spent.

Principal projects are £22,000 for an annual Children’s Film Festival run by Aldeburgh Cinema Trust; £75,327 to improve the Southwold-Covehithe path to attract walking tourists; £99,837 for a social enterprise to work with conservation charities to provide holiday packages with volunteering placements on sites around the AONB; £83,000 to expand Aldeburgh Food and Drink Festival; and £70,000 for a sculptural viewing platform at Aldeburgh Music at Snape to give views of the coastal landscape.

Tim Rowan-Robinson, chairman of Suffolk Coast DMO, said: “The Suffolk coastline is a truly unique environment and attracts thousands of visitors every year. However, we know there is more we can do to promote the destination.

“Thanks to the funding from CCF we have a unique opportunity to develop and promote the coastline and the conference will be a great platform for us to engage with new members and set out our plans for the continued development and promotion of our spectacular destination.”