Bumper Summer for Norfolk’s tourism businesses

Its certainly been a glorious Summer of sunshine with record temperatures bringing tourists and local people out to spend in Norfolk’s businesses. Tourism is the largest sector industry in the county and contributes more than £3billion to the local economy.

The Larking Gowen Tourism Business Survey published before the Summer season predicted that  67% of tourism businesses in Norfolk, Suffolk and Essex were expecting to see an increase in turnover in 2018. The mood was certainly positive at the start of the Summer season – four in five businesses said they were optimistic last year, but 19% were even more optimistic about their own business going into the 2018 peak period.

Norwich City Council’s Economic Barometer released at the start of July showed a sharp increase in business activity in May, helped by an increase in new orders and demand. While some ongoing economic and political uncertainty has subsequently slowed certain sectors, tourism has been booming. Norfolk Country Cottages reported that bookings for their holiday cottages were up 78% year on year during June and July, while leisure and tourism operators such as boat hire companies have reported a boom in day trips linked to the sunny weather.

One of the UK’s 15 protected National Parks, The Norfolk Broads are a network of waterways central to the unique Norfolk landscape. Extending from the North Sea on the East Coast, past the historic city of Norwich and south into Suffolk, The Norfolk Broads attract approximately 8million visitors every year. Norfolk is well known for its stunning landscapes which inspired the name of Norwich recruitment specialists, Big Sky Additions. “Norfolk has become known as “big sky country” because of the wide open spaces and uninterrupted vistas,” explains Big Sky Additions Director, Sam Holt.

In a recent round up of the top beaches in the UK, Norfolk had three appearances with Cromer, Wells next the Sea and Scolt Head Island near Brancaster all featuring in the top 50 beaches listed in The Times. Cromer shone as the best beach in the East of England with the report highlighting its popular end of pier show, Cromer crabs and “99” ice creams!

Photos can be uploaded from http://www.broads-authority.gov.uk/news/photo-gallery