Anglo-French tourism ideas

The idea is to identify and set up cross-border projects between public and private tourism bodies from East Sussex and the Dieppe area. The trip was funded by East Sussex County Council.

Seaford Town Council clerk Len Fisher said: 'It was an ideal time to invite them to the golf course '“ we might be able to put on some projects to promote both towns. This may include bi-annual golf tournaments and other tourism and sports like walking and cycling. The visit was all about forming links.'

Four one-day seminars have been planned between March and September rotating between East Sussex and the Dieppe area.

The objective of the first working group was to start identifying potential project ideas. All those taking part have expressed a strong wish to see exchanges between the two areas.

The projects outlined by the 27 French and 30 British participants are grouped into four categories. Tourism and sports includes projects between golf courses, race courses and marinas. Art and cultural tourism would include museums, cultural heritage (castles, churches etc,) and exchanges between artists and exhibitions.

Nature and gardens and accommodation and business are the two other areas with the possibility of a loyalty card and exchanges between the Dieppe Hotel Club and East Sussex bed and breakfasts.

The projects which have generated most discussion so far have been golf, horse racing, exchanges between artists, parks, gardens and accommodation. Linguistics exchanges for young people will also, hopefully, be a key feature.