The 'Visitor Economy' describes the whole environment in which visitors, local businesses and service providers interact with one another in a given location. This could be a city, town or less defined rural area - but Visitor Economy as an employment sector focuses on all the elements that attract people to a region along with the infrastructure, services and economy that supports and benefits from such visits.

Because the sector encompasses offerings for all types of 'visitor' as well as some jobs that support visitors indirectly, the work isn't necessarily seasonal as has been traditionally associated with tourism and hospitality. Regional investment in businesses and education for this sector also means that training, pay and progression opportunities might be more attractive now than what might have been expected in the past.

For visitors themselves it is about the range of and quality of services they can enjoy in a certain area and for job or career seekers it represents an exciting and diverse environment in which to work - especially in this region.

Any job that contributes to a visitor's experience at a given location can likely be thought of as part of the 'Visitor Economy'
The sector employs employs about 88,000 people across Norfolk & Suffolk
Incorporates many jobs traditionally associated with Tourism and Hospitality but factors in areas that support all visitor needs such as Retail and Beauty

Useful Subjects:

Art & Design • Business studies • Catering • Design & Technology • Drama • English • History • ICT • Languages • Maths • Music • Psychology • Sociology

Job Ideas for this Industry

Air Cabin Crew • Barista • Beauty Therapist • Entertainer • Events Manager • Greenkeeper • Hotel Manager • Museum Curator • Musician • Racecourse Staff • Restaurant Manager • Stage Manager • Taxi Driver • Tour Guide • Waitress / Waiter (For more, check out the Job Areas below)

The 'New Anglia' region boasts diverse and rich tourist offerings with the coast, countryside and picturesque market towns supported by a lively and forward-thinking cultural sector with internationally-renowned brands. The area boasts traditional getaway destinations like Great Yarmouth and the Suffolk Coast, along with exclusive natural attractions such as the Broads National Park, the Brecks, North Norfolk Coast and other Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty. It also offers important heritage sites like Norwich (England’s most complete medieval city) and Sutton Hoo in Suffolk, as well as being the home of horseracing at Newmarket.

The region's vivid and energetic cultural sector provides major international festivals, award-winning theatres and is home to England’s first UNESCO City of Literature. (Norwich). The area's cultural sector along with our natural landscape plays a pivotal role in making the area an exciting place to live, work and learn in for employees and a great place for employers to invest and do business in.

Next Step:

Explore this industry in detail through the job areas below which include detailed job ideas, local Visitor Economy employers and opportunities.