A new programme to help West Sussex tourism and hospitality businesses bounce back after the pandemic is being launched.
The business innovation programme led by the University of Brighton aims to boost local tourism and hospitality businesses hit by the pandemic. The West Sussex visitor economy shrank by 50% compared to 2019, with a loss of £1 billion of visitor spend since the pandemic struck in 2020.
The Horizons: Innovation in the Tourism and Hospitality sectors programme – part of the Research, Innovation in Sussex Excellent (RISE) project led by the university of Brighton, in partnership with the University of Sussex and West Sussex County Council – kicks off with introductory webinars for local SMEs on 30 March and 5 April.
The programme provides Sussex-based small and medium enterprises (SMEs) with fully subsidised access to expert university support, and includes an opportunity to work with an academic to develop or improve a specific product or service. Up to £5000 of support is available for each participant, with no cost to the business.
To find out more about the RISE Horizon programme visit bit.ly/36yf3gu or contact the RISE team directly at rise@brighton.ac.uk.