Celebrating 25 years of showing millions of tourists around the region!
One of the region's most active tourism industry organisations has celebrated its 25th anniversary.
The South East England Tourist Guides Association (SEETGA) estimates it has shown more than 3.8 million visitors around the sights of Kent, Surrey and Sussex over the past quarter of a century.
Now boasting some 100 members, of whom 75% are fully qualified as 'Blue Badge Guides', an internationally-recognised quality benchmark, SEETGA guides accompany tourists to the region on coach tours, at specific attractions such as National Trust and English Heritage properties and privately-owned homes and gardens, and comment knowledgably on the countryside and coastline during travel around the area.
The Association celebrated reaching quarter of a century with a special boat party on board Maidstone attraction 'The Kentish Lady'.
Robert Collier, President of SEETGA and Managing Director of Tourism South East, said: "Millions of visitors from the UK and overseas have benefited from the work of guides over the years. As well as providing extensive information, answering queries and entertaining visitors, their role is very much as ambassadors for the region and their commitment to providing outstanding customer service is demonstrated by such a long period of growth and success."
Wilf Jackson, Chairman of SEETGA, said: "From small beginnings we have grown to become part of the fabric of the tourist industry locally. Our guides all share a love of the region and its many attractions and a real desire to share their enthusiasm with tourists. We even have some guides who work every Boxing Day! They are all committed to making visitors' experiences as enjoyable and interesting as possible - and we look forward to adding value to the tourist industry for another 25 years."
From just 25 members in its first year, SEETGA has grown continuously, with its members providing services to a range of tourism organisations and businesses. They undertake guided walks, tours, illustrated talks and 'meet and greet' transfers from airports, seaports and railway stations. Guides are available for groups and individuals of all ages, interests and abilities, as well as conference excursions, corporate entertainment, cruise ship shore excursions and also as driver-guides for private car tours.
Ends
Media contact:
David Rose at TSE on 023 8062 5464
Email: drose@tourismse.com
Or Carol Griffiths at SEETGA on 01959 523140
Note to Editors:
Tourism South East is the strategic tourism body for Berkshire, Buckinghamshire, East Sussex, Hampshire, Isle of Wight, Kent, Oxfordshire, Surrey and
West Sussex