Easter providing vital boost for Suffolk tourism industry
The holiday marks the return of visitors, essential for local businesses
Easter is being hailed as an essential period for Suffolk's tourism industry, marking the seasonal uptick when visitors return in greater numbers.
According to Jess Brow, the manager of the Suffolk Coast Destination Management Organisation, tourism significantly contributes to the county's economy.
It supports employment across various sectors from hospitality to retail.
In 2024, East Suffolk has reported substantial activity from tourists, with 12.4 million trips undertaken, comprising 11.8 million day trips and 0.7 million staying trips.
These trips generated significant spending, with £553 million spent in total, contributing £146 million from staying trips and £407 million from day trips.
Tourism has played a crucial role in supporting employment, with 15,365 jobs supported both for local employees and for those in nearby areas.
Of these, 11,625 are tourism-related jobs, while 3,739 are non-tourism jobs supported through the multiplier effect of tourism spending.
The economic impact is evident with tourism contributing 16% to the county overall employment, highlighting its importance to Suffolk’s economy.