Experience Sussex is an ambitious development programme dedicated to unlocking the transformative potential of East and West Sussex’s visitor economy.
Our mission, in partnership, is to drive an additional £2.5 billion of sector value for the whole of Sussex over the next decade, whilst prioritising a sustainable and regenerative destination. We aim for Sussex to be recognised as a vibrant and thriving destination, celebrating our unique identity to attract visitors from around the globe.
We are a dedicated team of five and are core funded by East Sussex County Council and West Sussex County Council.
Our approach for success is through:
- Advocacy for the Sussex Visitor Economy: Promote the importance of the visitor economy at both national and regional levels.
- Collaboration: Foster partnerships and networks to strengthen relationships within the sector.
- Transformation: Drive innovation, productivity, accessibility, net zero and sustainability to enhance the visitor experience.
- Storytelling: Share the Sussex stories with the world through compelling product development and inspirational marketing.
Our development programme is designed to support the Sussex region's visitor economy. We run thematic sector development programmes, currently including wine tourism development, nature based tourism for nature recovery and encouraging more use of low carbon and sustainable transport options to access and get around the region. Whether you are looking to grow, transform or build resilience, we work across a range themes and agendas with a network of specialists and visitor economy development partners to bring you training and support activities ranging from workshops, webinars to networking events and online clinics - all designed to help your organisation thrive.
Taking Sussex to the World
We work with a wide network of place-based organisations, including Destination Management and Marketing Organisations, district and borough councils, and transport partners such as Gatwick Airport who are all working to deliver a thriving and vibrant visitor economy for their local area within Sussex. Experience Sussex are working with a wide range of partners to support destination marketing cut through, especially in the overseas markets.
Working in Partnership
£2.5 Billion Growth through collaboration
We are working alongside our partners from East Sussex County Council, Brighton and Hove City Council, Visit Brighton and West Sussex County Council to facilitate the East Sussex, Brighton & Hove and West Sussex Local Visitor Economy Partnership (LVEP), a destination partnership nationally accredited by Visit Britain Visit England.
Find out more about this Sussex wide visitor economy collaboration: East Sussex, Brighton & Hove and West Sussex Local Visitor Economy Partnership
This Sussex based partnership, supported by a private public advisory board, has co created a Ten year Visitor Economy Strategy for Growth for Sussex which will guide the work and activities of Experience Sussex.
