Former National Park Employee Sets Up Tourism Partnership

The South Downs Tourism Partnership (SDTP), who launched VisitSouthDowns.com at the end of May 2019, aims to contribute to the economic growth of one of the UK’s leading visitor destinations, the South Downs.

Visit South Downs is the primary marketing tool for the SDTP, a non-profit Destination Marketing Organisation (DMO) which was only formed earlier this year and is 100% independent of the National Park Authority, receiving no government funding. Matt Alsbury-Morris, a former employee of the South Downs National Park Authority, was responsible for the website & new media platforms for during the Authority’s establishment.

The South Downs is already a recognised brand both nationally and internationally due to its unique combination of stunning landscapes, market towns, and surrounding vibrant cities. Whether people know the South Down’s picturesque villages, heritage attractions and locally sourced food and drink, everyone recognises pictures of the white cliffs at the Seven Sisters on the South Downs National Park’s coastline.

VisitSouthDowns.com will raise the profile of both domestic and international tourism to the South Downs and increase tourism activity and product development, ultimately leading to an improved visitor experience for all those enjoying the area.

The SDTP will be publishing the South Downs Visitor Guide, planned to be an annual magazine style visitor guide to help visitors plan itineraries, gain special offers and read reviews of featured things to do, in early 2020 and wants to hear from attractions, accommodation businesses and food & drink establishments who want to be involved.

Matt Alsbury-Morris, Chair for the South Downs Tourism Partnership comments: “We’re so excited to be promoting The South Downs to the world, helping people enjoy Britain’s newest National Park and all the things you can see and do nearby. Visit South Downs is a fantastic promotional tool for the South Downs. The website will enable the Partnership to attract both national and international visitors to the region. Tourism to the South Downs is worth over £450 million annually and we are so pleased that the new site will be able to encourage more people to visit and support this important part of the local economy”