NEW STRATEGY HIGHLIGHTS POTENTIAL OF SOUTH EAST'S TOURISM INDUSTRY

THE SOUTH EAST TOURISM INDUSTRY IS SET TO EXPAND RAPIDLY OVER THE NEXT 20 YEARS and the region's planning system needs to be ready to respond positively to opportunities and challenges which this expansion will bring. This is a key message in the Regional Spatial Planning Strategy for Tourism which is being launched on 24 October in Woking.

The Assembly's strategy - entitled 'Destination South East' - sets out a vision for the development of a tourism industry in the South East over the next 20 years.

Details of the Strategy, which concentrates on the planning issues that relate to the tourism industry, will be unveiled at a consultation launch at H.G. Wells Suite, Woking on 24 October. The Strategy focuses on three key issues:

• The contribution that tourism can make to diversifying the rural economy and regenerating parts of the region;
• Guidance on locating major regional developments, such as sport facilities and big visitor attractions;
• A more positive approach to planning for tourist accommodation and facilities.

Mike Gwilliam, Director of Planning and Transport at the Assembly, said: "We believe that the South East's tourism industry is going to be one of the fastest growth sectors of the economy over the next 20 years.

"It is vital that we plan more positively for this and improve our management of sensitive 'hot spots'. This Strategy sets out a regional framework to help to do this so that challenges such as tourist pressures on an overstretched transport network are dealt with sensitively and sustainably."

Contact

Lesley van Dijk, PR Executive - 01483 555223

Alex Butlin, PR Executive - 01483 555221

Notes to editors:

1. The Regional Assembly is the “voluntary regional chamber” for the South East. It was established in January 1999 to give a representative voice to the South East region which covers Berkshire, Buckinghamshire, East and West Sussex, Hampshire, Isle of Wight, Kent, Oxfordshire, and Surrey.
2. The Assembly is made up of 111 members including elected councillors nominated by the region’s local authorities and 37 representatives from other sectors of the community (including business, trades unions, education, housing, health, sports, culture, tourism, faith groups, environmental, community and voluntary organisations).
3. The Assembly has three areas of core business:
1. It is the representative voice of the South East, engaging and representing its member organisations and, through them, the wider public.
2. The Assembly has a specific role under the Regional Development Agencies' Act 1998 to ensure the accountability of the South East England Development Agency (SEEDA) to the region.
3. The Assembly has been the Regional Planning Body for the South East since April 2001. It has responsibility for proposing strategic planning and transport policies to Government.

Last updated: 21 August 2007