0333 800 8910
0333 800 8910Norfolk and Suffolk have joined forces to deliver an ambitious 3 year programme to promote the rich cultural tourism offered across both counties.
After an open, competitive, tender process, the communications agency Spring has been appointed to deliver this work.
Spring is a Suffolk business, based in Southwold, with an international reputation. It is a dynamic agency that understands tourism, culture, East Anglia and the national and international landscape that Suffolk needs to occupy.
Spring is tasked to make Norfolk and Suffolk ‘must see cultural destinations’. Both counties are home to organisations, places and artists with national and international reputations, but many do not receive the recognition they are due.
Tourism is currently worth £4.6 billion annually to the two counties, of which approximately £2.8 billion and £1.8 billion is generated by Norfolk and Suffolk respectively. This project will drive growth in the economy through tourism and culture.
Councillor Rebecca Hopfensperger, Suffolk County Council’s cabinet member for localities, environment and waste, said:
“Suffolk is a great place to live, visit and invest in. I am delighted that we have been able to contract a vibrant and internationally significant local business to deliver this project.
“We have stunning landscapes, areas of outstanding and natural beauty, and places of special and scientific interest, not to mention the extraordinarily rich heritage.
"With this appointment made we will continue to attract even more visitors to the county, which will be a real boost to the local economy.”
Erika Clegg, co-founder of Spring, said:
"Culture is one of our greatest mutual assets, and tourism is undergoing a period of growth. This is an exciting and much-needed opportunity to raise the profile of our region, bring more people to enjoy these beautiful counties, and really show Norfolk and Suffolk's light to the world. We are delighted to be involved."
Suffolk is extremely fortunate in having a wealth of cultural attractions, many that are acknowledged nationally and internationally which are set to increase in importance and impact over the coming years.
Suffolk is home to a number of organisations with a strong local presence, supported by a wide range of audiences throughout the year, and producing unique, world class experiences. These organisations have national and international partnerships across the creative sector:
Research by Visit England and Office of National Statistics estimated that in 2011 there were a total number of 31,228,000 day visitors.
In 2010 there were 1,787,000 staying visitors in Suffolk, staying a total of 6,525,000 nights. The total number of day visitors was 24,808,375.
The total business turnover supported by tourism is £2,786,197,000. Tourism in Suffolk supports 17,131 full time jobs, and 34,237 tourism-related jobs in total, equating to 11.3% of the workforce.
The total business turnover is £1,755,306,500.
The Cultural Tourism project is financially supported by The Arts Council of England (£150K) and the New Anglia LEP (£100K). It is managed by Suffolk County Council on behalf of the New Anglia LEP Cultural Board. The New Anglia Cultural Board is one of the LEP’s sector groups and its members are senior figures from culture, heritage and tourism across the two counties.
