Consulting our tourism sector to help shape industry's future

We've met with more than 100 stakeholders from the city’s visitor economy as we look to shape the future of the sector locally and help drive growth.

With more than 12 million people visiting Brighton & Hove each year, the tourism and hospitality sector supports hundreds of local businesses, thousands of jobs and has a huge impact on the city’s wider economy.

We're currently drawing up plans for a new 2-year local strategy which will help deliver the longer-term Sussex Visitor Economy Strategy for Growth 2024 – 2034. 

The intention is for this 2-year strategy to be co-created with local stakeholders and we've held 4 engagement events in recent weeks, attended by more than 100 representatives of local businesses.

Four workshop events

Events were held at the Brighton Centre, Maldron Hotel and Leonardo Hotel, with a fourth online. 

Discussions brought together a diverse cross section of the sector, including hospitality businesses, cultural organisations, attractions, event organisers, transport partners and tourism professionals.

They were hosted by Councillor Birgit Miller, Cabinet Member for culture, heritage and tourism, who was keen to not only praise the vital role the sector plays, but also highlight the importance of a collaborative approach to shaping the city’s visitor economy over the coming years.

Lively, constructive conversation

Councillor Miller said: “It was fantastic to see so many representatives of our visitor economy come together. 

“The workshops featured lively, constructive conversation, with participants sharing their priorities, challenges, and aspirations for the future. This feedback will now feed directly into our new strategy, which in turn will guide our work supporting and promoting the city as a destination.

“We are incredibly grateful to everyone who took the time to join us. Hearing directly from those who work within the visitor economy every day is essential to building a plan that reflects real needs, opportunities and ambitions.”

Still time to take part

Any stakeholder from within the visitor economy who was unable to attend the workshops but would like to share their views can still do so by emailing partnership@visitbrighton.com. 

The consultation is open until 26 February.