Figures show tourism is booming in Southend

October 29, 2018 by Southend Borough Council

Visitor numbers reached a record high in 2017, according to a recent tourism assessment.

The key results from the 2017 Economic Impact Assessment – an independent assessment conducted by tourism insights experts Destination Research - has shown that tourism in Southend reached new heights in a record breaking year. 

Key results show that:

·         More than 7.5 million trips were undertaken in the area, an increase of around 500,000 from 2016

·         £335m was spent by tourists, an increase of £22m from 2016

·         9,587 jobs supported for local residents, an increase of 607 from 2016

·         £50m generated from overnight visits, an increase of £2m from 2016

Cllr James Courtenay, cabinet member for growth, said: “Figures from the recent Economic Impact Assessment reveal Southend’s tourism economy continued to go from strength to strength last year. The council has worked closely with our partners, such as Southend BID, to entice day-trippers to the borough and encourage them to stay longer.

“I’m pleased to see an increase in number of trips, number of overnight visits, money spent in the borough through tourism and also more tourism jobs filled by local people. This is all fantastic news for the town.

“So far this year we have also seen record visitor numbers for the pier, and I am confident that visitor numbers for this year will be similarly impressive. Our focus now must be to continue to ensure our town remains a place people wish to keep coming back to and our recent High Street summit is and important part of that.”

This year, Southend has also seen the opening of boutique hotel, Seven, which recently received recognition from Michelin for their fine dining experience.  Jamie Oliver and Jimmy Doherty completed another season of their hit TV show, Jamie and Jimmy’s Friday Night Feast, with guests including Hollywood A-Lister, Danny DeVito, all of which adds to the tourism appeal in Southend-on-Sea.