Sally-Ann Hart, MP for Hastings and Rye, visited the discovery centre on Saturday, March 25 to show her support for English Tourism Week.
Co-ordinated by VisitEngland and taking place from Friday, March 17 to Sunday, March 26, English Tourism Week is an annual celebration of the tourism industry, highlighting its importance to local economies and promoting innovation, quality, and services on offer to encourage more domestic breaks.
This year’s campaign used the adjective amazing to celebrate the people, places, businesses, attractions, experiences and destinations that make up England’s tourism sector. VisitEngland’s director Andrew Stokes explained: “With spring upon us and the Easter break just ahead it is timely to shine the spotlight on the outstanding tourism offer here on our doorstep, and on an industry which supports millions of jobs and local economies right across England.”
Whilst at the centre, Sally-Ann met Dr Barry Yates, Sussex Wildlife Trust’s manager at the Nature Reserve, and Gesine Garz, centre manager, discussing with them both the success that the centre has been in terms of helping to attract visitors – some 40,000 a year post-Covid – but also issues such as balancing the needs of those who live in the harbour with those who visit, and how to lessen the environmental impact of car journeys to and from the village. In addition to playing a part in attracting people to the reserve, the centre also acts as a hub for a number of local community groups: hospice, crafts, history, wildlife, screenwriters, and gardening as well as hosting school and university visits.
Sally-Ann said: “As ever, I thoroughly enjoyed my visit to Rye Harbour Nature Reserve, particularly during English Tourism week. The nature reserve is such a wonderful place to quietly reflect on the beauty of our coastline and the wildlife within it. Tourism is so important for our local economy and we have so much to offer here in Hastings and Rye, including our beautiful nature reserve, our countryside and beaches. We also have fantastic pubs and restaurants, wineries, history and culture and so much more. There is something for everyone here – well worth a visit or a staycation!”
Image Credits: Martin Bruce .