Bognor Regis Chamber of Commerce expresses concerns for town's tourism

Chairman Nick Stuart-Nicolson believed there was a need for a more coherent strategy for promoting the town and that Arun District Council, which has repeatedly defended its tourism policy, should be taking a greater lead in achieving this aim.

Speaking at Monday evening's meeting (March 15), he said: "Local authorities have a duty to the whole community to attract visitors, and the benefits to the town through tourism are immense."

After being re-elected unanimously to his post, he confirmed the chamber's support for the revived Out of Arun campaign started by members of the town council.

He added: "Tourism is no candyfloss industry. We need a long-term vision for tourism and we need to recognise the potential of our tourism industry. Remember, tourism nationally is responsible for eight per cent GDP. We really want Arun District Council to show a real interest in, and indicate ownership of its promotion and to attract new tourism businesses.

"Chichester District Council has just pledged 44,000 for the second year to fund Visit Chichester. This is part of 172,000 for 2009/10 in raising its profile nationally and internationally. Chichester enjoyed 5.7 million visitors in 2009.

"Bognor Regis lies within one of the largest concentrations of tourist activity outside London and is a very popular destination for staying visitors which creates expenditure in the town and the generation of employment. Tourism is of immense value to the economy and it is important therefore to promote a positive image of our town."

His views were shared by chamber member Ian Harding, who said tourism in Arun 'needed a transfusion before it ends up in intensive care'.

"Arun is cutting its tourism budget by 12 per cent and there will be no additional funding for the Olympic year of 2012," explained the former district councillor who was part of Arun's working party on tourism promotion which was commissioned three years ago.

"Its findings are now considered defunct by the council, which is presently tendering for services which are franchised out as part of its 15 per cent budget cutbacks."

The council has revamped its Sussex By the Sea website which will be one of the main points of contact for tourism promotion in the district.

Mr Harding added: "Our visitor information centres are our shop windows and the welcoming point of Arun. I take the council's point many people are getting their information online now, but what about when they are here?"

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