News, Resources, toolkits & insights

Skills Bootcamps – Sussex  

Skills Bootcamps are flexible courses of up to 16 weeks, ranging from Level 2 (GCSE) to level 5 (Foundation degree) giving people the opportunity to build up sector-specific and professional skills. 

Participants can be unemployed, self-employed or employed (and looking to progress in their job or company). 

These courses are fully funded for unemployed and self-employed people and for those in work, employers only need to make a small contribution. These courses would normally cost between £3500 and £5500. 

Find out more Skills Bootcamps | East Sussex County Council 

Find out more Information for employers - West Sussex County Council 

It’s a Journey: A Sustainable Travel Podcast 

If you are looking to gain insights around sustainability – the S word – look no further than this new podcast series hosted by Holly Tuppen, sustainable travel writer and expert, and Richard Hammond, Publishing Director of Green Traveller Media. Sponsored by Lemongrass, each episode tackles the uncomfortable, complex, and often overlooked questions facing the travel industry.  

With guests drawn from across the tourism, conservation, marketing, and academic sectors, these are conversations that go beyond buzzwords - offering practical insights, fresh perspectives, and hopeful paths forward.  

Visit England Academy launches a new training course for Inclusive Tourism 

Celebrate Pride Season by Embracing Inclusive Tourism. A new, free online course is now available on the VisitEngland Academy Learning Platform to help tourism businesses better welcome LGBTQIA+ visitors. 

This self-paced, interactive training covers essential LGBTQIA+ terminology, practical tips, and proven strategies to create an inclusive and welcoming experience for all. 

Sign up to the VisitEngland Academy for access to this free training course.  

Visit England’s Social Value of Tourism Report

This report explores the wide-ranging social, cultural, and community value of tourism, particularly through the lens of local communities, whose lives it directly impacts. Drawing on polling data, case studies, and statistical analysis, it reveals how tourism contributes to community pride, well-being, and regeneration, while also highlighting the importance of sustainable and inclusive practices.

This research was conducted by Public First for VisitEngland and was published in May 2025. Read it here : The Social Value of Tourism | VisitBritain.org

It’s a Journey: A Sustainable Travel Podcast 

If you are looking to gain insights around sustainability – the S word – look no further than this new podcast series hosted by Holly Tuppen, sustainable travel writer and expert, and Richard Hammond, Publishing Director of Green Traveller Media. Sponsored by Lemongrass, each episode tackles the uncomfortable, complex, and often overlooked questions facing the travel industry.  

With guests drawn from across the tourism, conservation, marketing, and academic sectors, these are conversations that go beyond buzzwords - offering practical insights, fresh perspectives, and hopeful paths forward.  

Visit England Academy launches a new training course for Inclusive Tourism 

Celebrate Pride Season by Embracing Inclusive Tourism. A new, free online course is now available on the VisitEngland Academy Learning Platform to help tourism businesses better welcome LGBTQIA+ visitors. 

This self-paced, interactive training covers essential LGBTQIA+ terminology, practical tips, and proven strategies to create an inclusive and welcoming experience for all. 

Sign up to the VisitEngland Academy for access to this free training course.  

Discover the top 10 travel trends shaping 2026—from authentic local experiences and slow travel to wellness retreats and screen tourism. Stay ahead in the evolving travel landscape. 

As we look ahead to 2026, travel continues to evolve in exciting ways. We’ve sifted through the latest research and insights to identify the key themes shaping traveller activities and experiences. These trends can help you frame your own offer and stay relevant in a competitive market. 

Our Top 10 Travel Trends for 2026 

1. Experience Like a Local 

Travelers increasingly want authentic connections with communities—meeting farmers, producers, artists, and experience-makers. This trend is especially strong among Gen Z and Millennials, who seek out local hangouts for a genuine sense of place. 

2. Exploring Lesser-Known Destinations 

Linked to the desire for authenticity, travellers are venturing beyond the usual hotspots to discover hidden gems and unique cultural experiences. 

3. Slow Travel 

Longer, slower journeys are gaining popularity—think train adventures, cycling tours, or walking holidays that allow time to savour the experience. 

4. Shoulder Season Travel 

Trips during spring and autumn are on the rise, particularly in Europe, as travellers avoid extreme heat and crowded destinations. This also supports deeper local engagement. 

5. Food Tourism 

Interest in food provenance and culinary experiences—from farm tours or market tours to tasting events—continues to grow. The UK food tourism market was valued at $943.2 billion in 2023 and is projected to reach $3.1 billion by 2030 (Source: Grand View Research). 

6. Unique Adventure 

Outdoor and active experiences are trending across all age groups, including Baby Boomers. Think lesser-known trails, cold-water dips, and high-energy challenges. 

7. Back to Nature 

Nature-based activities that reconnect travellers with wildlife, landscapes, and seascapes remain a strong draw. 

8. Healthy Habits, Well-being, and Self-care 

From exercise-focused trips to mini-retreats centred on mindfulness, meditation, and wild spas, wellness travel is booming—driven by the need to combat stress and burnout. 

9. Sports & Music Tourism 

Travel tied to global sporting events and concerts continues to thrive, offering unique cultural and entertainment experiences. 

10. Screen Tourism 

“Set-jetting” remains popular, though it depends on the latest film or TV hits. Sussex has a strong track record as a filming location—consider listing your venue on the Sussex Film Office site to attract production companies. 

Final Thought 

These trends highlight a growing desire for authenticity, connection, and well-being in travel. Which of these resonates most with your offer? Share your thoughts—we’d love to hear them! 

Most of these are very much Visit Britain’s top themes too – and you can download the Visit Britain Consumer Trends 2026 to find out more on how to tap into their marketing trends Download Visit Britain Consumer Trends 2026 

More interesting resources: 

Unpack '26: The trends and what they mean for travel businesses 

2026 Travel Forecast: High Demand for Personalization, Measurable Sustainability | TravelPulse 

Reflections and insight on AI and travel markets

AI adoption is driving a major shift in the travel industry. But just how many travellers are using AI for their travel research? What are the implications and how do we respond to this development? How is AI streamlining business operations? These are just some of the questions for which we have gathered data and insights for you.

Research by Travel Pulse tells that use of generative AI is mainstreaming with significant numbers of travellers using AI to plan one trip.

• 33% of American travellers using Gen AI in the travel process
• 22% of UK travellers
• 19% of French travellers
• 15% of German traveller

Global Insights back up this trend

• 40% of travellers worldwide have used AI-based tools for trip planning, according to a Statista report. [travala.com]
• According to an Accenture survey of 18,000 consumers across 14 countries, 80% of travellers are using AI tools for travel purposes, and over half are willing to let AI fully manage their travel planning and bookings.[Accenture]
• A Kaspersky survey found that while only 28% of travellers use AI to plan trips, 96% of those users were satisfied with the experience, and 84% plan to use it again. [kaspersky.com]
• Among active generative AI users, 93% have used or would use AI to support travel-related purchasing decisions. [phocuswire.com]

So how does this translate for tourism businesses looking to future proof?

How AI is Transforming the Travel Industry in 2025 tells us how AI is enabling smarter customer service, personalized travel planning, and operational efficiencies— making it a vital tool for staying competitive in a rapidly evolving market.

AI Adoption in Tourism 2025: Industry Leaders’ Insights & Trends adds that as AI is becoming a strategic necessity, it requires leader adoption, training and time to build AI literacy into human teams.

Generative AI Takes Over Travel: B to AI Marketing and AI Agents Changing the Game introduces “B to AI marketing,” where businesses market to AI agents that influence consumer travel decisions, signalling a major shift in strategy a notable shift is the emergence of “B to AI marketing,” where travel brands target AI agents like digital assistants, rather than consumers directly, as these agents increasingly influence booking decisions. Overall, AI is not just enhancing efficiency but redefining the entire customer journey in tourism marketing.

If you would like to learn more about how to utilise AI for your business and marketing, please contact us on bizsupport@experiencesussex.com
 

Sustainability

This is a hub of resources on a wide range of sustainability practices and improvements from the basics of getting started to food waste and net zero commitment. Also included are the Better Business case studies - an inspirational curation of businesses across England whose examples provide inspiration for transformation.

Visitor Markets Insights and data

VBVE conducts regular sentiment trackers for domestic markets, visitor segmentation and analysis of the inbound markets by region or country. Check for a range of useful data, including:

• Domestic Sentiment Tracker (updated every month)
• International Passenger Survey (IPS) quarterly data updates
• Annual attractions survey (2023)
• Screen Tourism Insights (2024)
• England Hotel Occupancy rates (May-August 2024)
• Lighthouse – short term rentals (August 24)
• Screen Tourism insights – influence of Film & TV on travel to UK 2024

International Visitors – Markets and trends

For detailed analysis of the different behaviours and preferences of overseas visitors. 

Accessibility and Inclusion

A suite of resources including the value of the Purple Pound, MIDAS research, an Accessible & Inclusive Features Research report and a comprehensive toolkit with practical hits and tips to give you reassurance and confidence to develop inclusively. 

Visitor Ready Scheme

What is Visitor Ready? 

This new digital scheme is free and open to all types of hospitality and tourism businesses across the three key consumer activities of eat, stay and visit. 

It enables businesses in the UK hospitality, leisure, and tourism sectors to seamlessly showcase their commitment to operating safely within current industry standards and legislation. It has been created to make compliance accessible for all. The baseline accreditation will help businesses know the key safety and cleanliness requirements that today’s visitor expects. 

Find out MORE Visitor Ready | VisitEngland 

The Pink Book

A comprehensive guidance manual for attractions and accommodation providers– detailing law and regulations, responsibilities, licenses, consents and more. 

Hospitality Hiring Toolkit 

Industry leaders launch new hospitality sector hiring toolkit 

Safeguarding industry experts have collaborated to launch an industry best practice 'Better Hiring Toolkit' for the hospitality sector. The Disclosure and Barring Service has collaborated with The Better Hiring Institute (BHI), along with other safeguarding industry experts, to launch a free to use industry best practice ‘Better Hiring Toolkit’ for the hospitality sector. 

The resource provides best practice advice and guidance on how to hire quickly, fairly, and safely, and to tackle modern slavery in the sector. 

The new toolkit provides practical, simplified guidance to support hospitality businesses with hiring new employees by utilising UK best practice. It covers vetting, verifying qualifications and important information for employers on their obligations when it comes to issues like modern slavery. You can download the toolkit  here. and find out more Industry leaders launch new hospitality sector hiring toolkit - GOV.UK