Tourist Information Centres

Tourist Information Centres really are a one stop shop offering visitors information on places to visit, where to stay, tickets for tourist attractions and help with travel arrangements.  Staff are friendly and knowledgeable and are happy to give advice to visitors to help get the most out of their time at a destination.  The centres offer excellent distribution of leaflets and have a good selection of locally produced gifts and produce as well as maps, books and guides.

The South East's network of 71 Tourist Information Centres play a vital role in promoting the local area, as well as the wider region, to visitors, local residents and businesses.  The centres are focused on the needs of visitors and act as the destination’s shop window. 

Tourism South East supports all Tourist Information Centres within the region in terms of operational advice and best practice, conferences and meetings, training opportunities, central purchasing service and a mystery shopper programme.  Tourism South East can provide expert management services in running a Tourist Information Centre on behalf of local authorities to ensure this vital service continues to contribute to the local visitor economy.

In 2006, Tourism South East undertook a strategic review of visitor information provision in the South East.  The review covered a product audit, economic impact study and visitor profiling research, as well as outlining a range of future sustainable operating models supported by pilot case studies and toolkits. 

The review established three distinct Tourist Information Centre groups.  They are:-

• Strategic
• Destination
• Community

VisitBritain in conjunction with the each region went on to review the Tourist Information Centre network across England.  This led to the production of the VisitBritain Tourist Information Action Plan, which reflected the Tourist Information Centre groupings indicated in the South East review.

VisitBritain also developed a set of national guidelines which encourage all tourist information providers to achieve a consistent level of service throughout England.

The Tourist Information Centre network's mission is to provide an unrivalled tourist information service that is accessible to all.  Its objectives are to:-

• provide Tourist Information and Services tailored to the needs of visitors.
• provide the highest standards of customer care.
• be both expertly informed and impartial.
• represent the best interests of all network stakeholders and the visitors.

Enjoy England Official Partner Programme

In terms of Official Partners, the action plan indicated that VisitBritain wished to work with Tourist Information Centres in strategic destinations who aspired to be part of the national picture and excel in the service that they offer to visitors. 

The 38 Official Partner Tourist Information Centres in the South East were required to make a comprehensive submission to Tourism South East.  In many cases they celebrated their success with a presentation of the official branding.

The Official Partner programme is currently closed to new submissions.

Full list of Official Partners in the South East

Tourist Information Centre Management Services

Tourism South East currently manages seven Tourist Information Centres on behalf of local authorities.  This specialist contract service is offered to all local authorities in the region and brings a range of benefits including:

• economies of scale.
• proven expertise and best practice.
• limited risk.
• freedom from operational liability.

To find out more about outsourcing Tourist Information Centre management to Tourism South East please email  the visitor services team or call 023 8062 5487.

Tourism South East offer a comprehensive Central Purchasing service to all tourism businesses.   Benefits include:-

• competitive discounts.
• no minimum order requirement.
• free postage and packing.

 To find out more about this service contact the visitor services team on 023 8062 5485.