Guildford tourism brings £211m local economy boost

Tourism boosted the economy in part of Surrey by £211.5m and supported about 5,000 jobs in 2011, a report has said.

Guildford council commissioned the Tourism South East report to look at the impact of tourism in the area in the current "tough economic climate".

The report also said the South East region kept its position as the second largest regional economy in England for domestic and overseas tourism.

Figures showed 296,000 visitors stayed overnight in Guildford last year.

Out of those 70% were domestic visitors and 30% were from overseas, the report said.

Councillor Jen Powell, cabinet member for tourism, said the area had a huge range of attractions, and both the new entertainment G Live and the Radisson Blu Edwardian opened in the town last year, boosting the area's trade and employment.

Guildford's tourist information centre also moved from Tunsgate to the High Street art gallery in spring 2011.

Diana Roberts, tourism marketing and development manager at the centre, said that tourism staff last year helped 70% more customers than in 2010 as a result of the move.