The economic significance of the tourist industry for the local area was underlined this week with the publication of new figures.

Kevin Boorman, manager of 1066 Country Marketing, the private/public sector partnership responsible for tourism marketing in the area, says that figures just released by Tourism South East for 2018 show that the total value of tourist activity in 1066 Country in that year is estimated to have been around £664.7m, up by some seven per cent compared to 2017.

“This income supported an estimated 15,185 actual jobs, an increase of 7.2 per cent compared to 2017,” says Mr Boorman.

“These are incredibly good figures against a backdrop of declining numbers of tourism trips nationally, and show just how important our work is.”

Stewart Drew, the chair of 1066 Country Marketing added: “These are excellent results for us. I am especially heartened because we have adopted a new ten year strategy, and relaunched our new website just last week. This should help to sustain the positive trend, boosting the economy of 1066 Country and create even more jobs.

“I am very grateful for the many tourism businesses who support us in our work, and, of course, our local councils. In particular, the support of Rother District Council and Hastings Borough Council is invaluable, and I am really delighted that their investment has produced such fantastic results.”

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