East Sussex, Brighton & Hove and West Sussex partnership secures national tourism status

An ambitious bid by East Sussex County Council, Brighton & Hove City Council and West Sussex County Council to form a Local Visitor Economy Partnership (LVEP) to boost the region’s visitor economy has been approved by VisitEngland.

The new East Sussex, Brighton & Hove and West Sussex LVEP will see the partnership collaborating on ways to sustainably grow the visitor economy, attract more leisure and business visitors, inward investment and access to funding.

Tourism is a key sector across Sussex. Pre-COVID, tourism generated over 62 million visitors a year, contributing £5 billion to the local economy and supporting 74,000 FTE jobs.

East Sussex, Brighton & Hove and West Sussex LVEP will be able to access expert advice, dedicated toolkits and VisitEngland’s training programmes on product distribution, accessibility, business support and marketing, and the opportunity to bid for potential national funding streams.

The new LVEP will develop a Strategy for Growth for the tourism sector led by the LVEP Board. The Leaders of the three local authorities have invited Hedley Swain, Chief Executive Brighton & Hove Museums, to chair the new LVEP board and Mardi Roberts, Director of Communications, Ridgeview Estate Winery, to act as Vice Chair.

Establishing a pan-Sussex collaborative approach will be core to the success of the new LVEP framework for Sussex. The partnership will embrace local visitor destinations, District & Boroughs, and businesses, to take forward the plan for growth to support sector recovery and sustainable growth and raise the profile of Sussex as a national and international visitor destination.

Hedley Swain, Chair of East Sussex, Brighton & Hove and West Sussex LVEP Board, says: “This is an exciting time for East Sussex, Brighton & Hove and West Sussex LVEP and we look forward to working with partners to develop and deliver the new tourism growth strategy, setting out a target of £2.5bn growth by 2030.

“We welcome the opportunities offered by the LVEP to work nationally with VisitEngland to the benefit of the industry across Sussex, including a strategic channel of communication to national bodies, access to targeted business support and training programmes, and marketing and travel trade activities.”

Councillor Keith Glazier, Leader of East Sussex County Council, says: “To hear the application for East Sussex, Brighton & Hove and West Sussex LVEP accreditation has been successful is great news and we welcome the opportunity to improve ways of working with destinations, opening new opportunities and benefits for Sussex.  

“The LVEP accreditation comes at an opportune moment following the opening of our section of the King Charles III coastal path and the world-renowned Turner Prize being hosted in Eastbourne until 14 April 2024.”

Councillor Bella Sankey, Leader of Brighton & Hove City Council, says: “I am really excited about our LVEP accreditation which recognises the opportunities for growing the tourism sector in Brighton & Hove, East and West Sussex. 

“Combining the vibrancy and diversity of Brighton & Hove with the amazing countryside and coast, culture and heritage, food, drink and hospitality across the region, we offer an outstanding visitor experience. 

“We are looking forward to deepening our joint working for the economic success of all communities in our partnership.”

Councillor Paul Marshall, Leader of West Sussex County Council, says: “We welcome the opportunity for the East Sussex, Brighton & Hove and West Sussex LVEP to work directly with VisitEngland. 

“Tourism is important to the region and West Sussex County Council has a long-standing commitment to the visitor economy. It offers a key opportunity for growth through collaboration, we are proud to continue this approach and to elevate the profile of our wonderful county as the destination of choice for national and international visitors.”

Andrew Stokes, VisitEngland Director, says: “Local Visitor Economy Partnerships (LVEPs) are at the heart of transforming the visitor economy landscape in England and we are delighted East Sussex County Council, Brighton & Hove City Council and West Sussex County Council worked together on the partnership bid.

“There is an incredibly diverse visitor sector across the region, where past and present blend, from vibrant Brighton & Hove city to rustic hamlets, iconic coastal views, outstanding cultural attractions, a stunning National Park, and a growing wine tourism offer – all proudly supported by creative and welcoming communities.

“The new LVEP will lead on the sustainable growth of the visitor economy and ensure the region is a compelling leisure and business visitor destination to the national and international markets.”