Brighton Pier Group CEO Anne Ackord has spoken out about the importance of bringing local businesses together to campaign for better tourism support, as the Brighton and Hove Tourism Alliance hosts its annual summer showcase.

Brighton Pier Group CEO Anne Ackord has reiterated the importance of local tourism operators working together to campaign for better support for the sector, as the Brighton and Hove Tourism Alliance hosts its annual summer showcase on the pier.

Talking to The Argus, the BHTA chair highlighted how the alliance has worked to improve the appearance of the public realm, boost marketing efforts and welcome visitors since being founded in 2009, while ensuring the needs of the industry are well represented.

“The Tourism Alliance facilitates a platform allowing tourism and hospitality stakeholders to have honest and open conversations about the state of the industry alongside positive and practical ways to drive the visitor economy forward,” said Ackord.

“It’s so important that we share information about our city and our businesses. Although we all have our own goals, we will benefit hugely from sharing experiences. If the city is successful – if we can attract more visitors – then we will all share in the success. The best ideas come from conversations between like-minded people who have similar goals and have the same challenges and opportunities.”

Despite recent setbacks, such as a council restructure which removed the role of Head of Tourism and the closure of Visit Brighton tourist information points across the city, the BHTA is working to reinstate an informative and welcoming presence on the streets.

“I personally would like to see a far more proactive approach to welcoming tourists with hosts at the rail and coach arrival points to welcome and direct visitors. First impressions count and currently our first impressions aren’t good enough. How we can coordinate this between BHTA and the city council is an area to be explored.”

“I think there is a real opportunity now for all of us stakeholders to make our mark on the city but to do this we definitely have to engage and petition Brighton and Hove City Council and be prepared to promote the whole city as much as we can; not just our own businesses.”

“How we can best come together and how we set our immediate and future goals is very much the current focus of the Tourism Alliance.”