Essex has been chosen as one of 13 destinations to feature as part of Tour England - an Anglo-American ‘Connections’ project aimed at increasing tourism and boosting the number of visitors from the USA.
Tour England will include new themed itineraries that showcase the key attractions and accommodation options in each of the areas; access to and between the regions and highlight unique experiences.
Package tours will be set up to help US tourists discover the country’s heritage and history.
Lisa Bone of Visit Essex said: “We’re absolutely delighted to be participating in this project and working to generate more awareness around Essex as a tourism destination for the US inbound visitor market and we’re really looking forward to welcoming Fionn Davenport here and sharing the region’s history and Anglo-American connections.
“With Colchester being the oldest recorded town in England we have a huge amount of history and past connections with the US as well as being the birth place of John Bridges, the founder of Harvard and John Adams and his son John Quincy Adams - both US presidents. In fact more Americans originate from Essex than any other English county.
“Essex is easy to reach for international visitors coming into London; we have a stunning coastline, a rich heritage and fantastic food and drink.
“Facilities such as the Chelmsford Records office also provide a really important service to American visitors seeking to trace their English ancestry – and of course Harwich is home to the Mayflower and is gearing up in advance of the Mayflower 400 commemorations in 2020.”
Fionn Davenport, Lonely Planet author and award-winning travel journalist who has been appointed as the content creator for Tour England ‘US Connections’ project will visit sites in Essex that appeal to the US toursit, and are connected to new itineraries based around themes being developed by the project.
She will be visiting sights and attractions with strong links to the USA, such as Harwich – where the Mayflower ship is thought to have been built and the Master Christopher Jones was born and twice wed; Dedham and Constable Country; the Chelmsford Records Office and Marks Hall Gardens.
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