TIC Services
The South East's network of 79 Tourist Information Centres (TICs) plays a vital role in promoting the local area, as well as the wider region, to both visitors and local residents.
There are national guidelines available to ensure that all organisations offering information provision can do so within a national standard.
Enjoy England Official Information Partner Programme
VisitBritain undertook a review of the TIC network in 2006. This led to the production of the VisitBritain Tourist Information Action Plan, which highlighted three distinct TIC groupings, as follows:-
- Gateway Information Centres (strategic gateways) (GICs)
- Visitor Information Centres (key destinations) (VICs)
- Local Information Centres (small towns and rural areas) (LICs)
In terms of Official Partners, the action plan indicated that VisitBritain wished to work with TICs that had the capability to pro-actively promote England and would therefore be most attractive to TICs with the highest visitor footfall, i.e. predominantly GICs and some VICs.
The original plan was to have 50 - 75 Official Partners countrywide. However, the programme has attracted an unprecedented interest from TI Providers. Currently there are in excess of 200 Official Partners across 9 regions. This represents nearly 50% of the total number of TICs in England.
For those TI providers who feel that the Official Partner Programme is not currently suitable for them, our on-going support continues. TSE will offer advice, training opportunities and a mystery shopper programme.
Full list of Official Information Partners in the South East.
TIC Strategic Review
TSE has now completed a review of TIC provision in the South East.
Economic impact of TICs
Research has been published demonstrating the economic impact TICs make within their location across the South East.
TICs in the South East
Tourism businesses benefit from the TIC network in many ways. TICs provide a marketing channel and often deliver direct bookings and new customers to direct to accommodation providers and attractions alike.
The region's TICs all meet the National Network Standards for Tourist Information Centres. TSE's role includes monitoring quality standards, delivering a programme of operational advice, training and meetings to share best practice, and offering a wide range of publications, such as local maps and guides, for sale to TICs. TSE also directly operates 11 TICs under contract to various local authorities.
Full contact details for all TICs in the South East, details of TSE's support and management services, and news and information on the sector can all be found in this section.