30 Sep 2024
Figures released by Visit East of England show that the number of overnight trips increased year-on-year by 11% in Suffolk and 9% in Norfolk with the number of staying nights up 12% and 6%. Overnight trip value increased by 8% in Suffolk and 11% in Norfolk.
Day trips remained the same – 33.5m in Suffolk and 48.5m in Norfolk.
The total value of tourism in the two counties is £5.5bn – the same figure as 2019, pre-Covid – with Suffolk's visitor economy worth £2.1bn and Norfolk's a shade under £3.4bn.
Employment in the sector remained similar to 2022, with 13.3% of all employment in Suffolk being in the visitor economy, at 44,000 jobs, and 15.9% in Norfolk – 68,200 jobs.
'It's great news that staying visitors, nights and value have all increased as we face so much competition from overseas holidays with almost guaranteed sunshine,' said Visit East of England Executive Director Pete Waters.
Suffolk and Norfolk bucked the trend on overnight trips, with a 5% decline compared to 2022 for Britain and England and a 13% decline in the wider region.
'We know there are financial constraints across the board, particularly for families, so this is a real endorsement of the value and quality of staying in Suffolk and Norfolk,' added Mr Waters.
