Visit Suffolk teamed up with The Suffolk Coast destination management organisation (DMO) to stage a networking event ahead of what is expected to be another bumper season for the county’s tourism industry.

Guests at the event, hosted by Aldeburgh Music at Snape Maltings, got to sample locally-sourced drinks and nibbles at the Trask Café before sitting down for a series of break-out discussions on key issues for the tourism sector.

Sessions focused on the future of Tourist Information Centres in the county, top tips for PR and maximising accessibility to the area with train operator Abellio Greater Anglia.

Details were also given of the tourism symposium “Suffolk Unlocked” which is being planned by University Campus Suffolk with Visit Suffolk and will be held at Trinity Park, Ipswich, on March 20.

Speaking at the event, Tim Rowan-Robinson, chairman of The Suffolk Coast DMO and of hotal company TA Hotel Collection, said: “We are keen to involve all businesses with an interest in promoting the unique mixture of events, activities, food and drink and hospitality that the area has to offer.

“We are also working hard to create additional reasons for tourists to come to the Suffolk Coast particularly in the off season.”

Visit Suffolk brand manager Amanda Bond said: “We firmly believe that forming links with organisations with common goals is essential to the development of Suffolk’s tourism offering, hence our partnership with The Suffolk Coast to host this event.

“We aim to facilitate the same for local businesses through events like this by creating the opportunity for them to meet and share their own experiences, and to learn of the benefits of partnering their local DMO or Visit Suffolk marketing opportunities.”