See East Anglia with Greater Anglia and Visit East Anglia

Greater Anglia, East Anglia’s rail operator and Visit East Anglia, the region’s private sector led tourism champions, have launched a new 2 for 1 attractions campaign aimed at Essex and North London residents, inviting them to See East Anglia by train. This is the first ever large-scale regional 2 for 1 campaign aimed at increasing leisure rail travel out of London.

Half-a-million London and Essex homes are being invited to See East Anglia, with offers from more than 70 tourism businesses across the region, in a leaflet that can be picked up at Greater Anglia stations, or downloaded from www.visiteastanglia.net/2for1. Postcards will soon be hitting doormats to promote the scheme combined with a poster campaign at Greater Anglia stations.

Punting in Cambridge, river trips on the Broads and the River Orwell, Norwich and Ipswich City Sightseeing bus tours, canoeing on the River Bure in Norfolk, Bury St Edmunds and Ipswich walking tours and Cambridge cycling tours, Colchester Castle Museum and Norwich Castle, the RSPB’s Minsmere, Titchwell and Lakenheath Fen reserves, plus Great Yarmouth’s Hippodrome Circus and Ipswich’s Dance East are just some of the exciting days out on offer.

The 2 for 1 scheme is the first of a range of Greater Anglia and Visit East Anglia projects aimed to raise the profile of the region as a major tourism destination and boost to the local economy. Heritage, shopping and short breaks promotions will follow soon. In addition, a Greater Anglia TV campaign in July will promote leisure travel from London.

Ruud Haket, Managing Director, Greater Anglia said: “We want to make a real difference to the region we serve and to do all we can in partnership with Visit East Anglia to promote East Anglia as the tourist destination of choice for Londoners looking for a great day-out by train or a relaxing short break. The investment in this campaign is aimed at positively supporting the region’s tourism industry and helping to give a huge boost to the local economy.”

Richard Ellis, Chairman Visit East Anglia said: “This is a fantastic example of one of the things that Visit East Anglia was created to do – to work with private sector partners to invest to grow the tourism sector in East Anglia . Greater Anglia is proving to be an innovative and exciting partner that wants to really make things happen. This is just the start of a series of joint campaigns.”

Liz Cobbold, Head of Marketing at Adnams and Director Visit East Anglia said: “Adnams is very excited to be involved in this campaign which promotes sustainable transport as well as local tourism which will boost the economy. The range of attractions on offer is a great showcase for East Anglia as a great destination for both day visits and holidays. "

Keith Brown, Chief Executive Officer, Visit East Anglia said: “The London 2 for 1 marketing programme organised by the Association of Train Operating Companies has long been recognised as one of the most successful drivers of day visit business into the capital city’s most popular attractions. Visit East Anglia together with Greater Anglia are delighted to have developed the first out of London 2 for 1 programmes with the support of some of the area’s finest attractions. With over 70 business’s participating, supported by a range of marketing activities, this programme will give a valuable boost to the growing tourism economy.”

www.greateranglia.co.uk and www.visiteastanglia.net/2for1