THE tourism industry in the Waveney area goes from strength to strength and this week celebrated one of its best seasons ever.A conference organised by the Waveney Tourism Forum attracted delegates from all over north Suffolk involved in businesses which rely on attracting visitors to the area.

THE tourism industry in the Waveney area goes from strength to strength and this week celebrated one of its best seasons ever.

A conference organised by the Waveney Tourism Forum attracted delegates from all over north Suffolk involved in businesses which rely on attracting visitors to the area.

Forum chairman Hugh Crossley reported that the summer season of 2009 had been one of the best ever.

'Thousands more brochures had to be printed to cope with the demand and I am happy to say this resulted in more visitors spending their leisure time with us in Waveney,' he said.

Tourism is worth more than �235m a year to the district's economy and supports more than 5,000 jobs.

One of the highlights of the conference, held at Lowestoft's Hotel Victoria on Tuesday, was the presentation of the 2009 Sunrise Coast Tourism Awards.

The awards are sponsored by the Lowestoft Journal and the Beccles and Bungay Journal.

Forum member and Waveney District Councillor Wendy Mawer presented the awards along with acting Lowestoft Journal editor David Lennard.

'We are fortunate in having such a high standard of businesses in the tourism industry here in Waveney,' said Ms Mawer.

'This is reflected in so many of our businesses winning awards in county-wide and national competitions.

'This year's award entries have been of a very high standard and it was an extremely difficult task selecting the winners. I am just glad I was not on the judging panel,' she said.

The conference also saw the launch of the 2010 Sunrise Coast 2010 holiday handbook.

'The Sunrise Coast provides a beautiful natural environment of award winning beaches, expansive coastline, the Norfolk and Suffolk Broads, picturesque market towns and peaceful countryside.

'Throughout the area visitors can expect a warm, relaxing and friendly atmosphere where families and friends can enjoy their time to its full potential,' said Mr Crossley.

The Lowestoft Journal and the Beccles and Bungay Journal recognise the important role that tourism plays in the economy of the Waveney area.

'The two newspapers are happy to support the Sunrise Coast tourism awards.

'Tourism not only supports so many jobs in the Waveney it also promotes north Suffolk across the whole country and internationally,' said Mr Lennard.

SUNRISE COAST TOURISM AWARDS 2009

Best large attraction: Africa Alive.

Best small attraction: Upstairs Gallery, Beccles.

Best holiday park: Heathland Beach Caravan Park, Kessingland.

Best hotel: Victoria Hotel, Lowestoft.

Best bed and breakfast: Catherine House, Beccles.

Best heritage attraction: Beccles Bell Tower.