Introducing ‘Suffolk – Good Journey County’, a new initiative promoting car-free days out and holidays in 2024 and beyond.

A boost to sustainable tourism and the local visitor economy was revealed today as Suffolk becomes a “Good Journey County”.

Suffolk Growth Partnership and Suffolk County Council have teamed up with the national organisation ‘Good Journey’ – the UK experts in car-free leisure – in a push to cut carbon emissions and widen access to our leisure, culture and nature for more people.

The initiative, supporting Suffolk’s Greenest County journey towards a carbon net zero visitor economy, will welcome car-free visitors to an array of attractions across Suffolk. More than 25 local tourism and visitor attractions are expected to join the Suffolk Good Journey scheme offering residents and visitors discounts and incentives to leave their cars at home and explore more of the county on foot, by bike, or using public transport.

Suffolk visitor attractions will all feature on goodjourney.org.uk – providing easy travel information and discounts to domestic and international visitors.

Visitor attractions participating in ‘Suffolk – Good Journey County’ will be announced in early 2024 as part of a new marketing campaign showcasing sustainable tourism visits to Suffolk.

Alongside these incentives, Good Journey is also working with all of Suffolk’s local councils, destinations and attractions to develop a series of car-free visitor itineraries, offering adventures by train, bus, bike and foot to suit all ages and tastes – from exploring the towns, coast and countryside, and local food and drink delicacies to discovering the cultural and heritage attractions and film locations.

Suffolk – Good Journey County will launch with attractions in March 2024, to attract new visitors and support the local visitor economy, cut carbon emissions, reduce congestion, and help more people enjoy Suffolk by train, bus, bike and foot.

Cllr Alexander Nicoll, Deputy Cabinet Member for Transport Strategy at Suffolk County Council, said:

“Being without a car should not preclude access to Suffolk’s nature, culture and heritage, which is why Suffolk County Council is pleased to be working with our partners to develop sustainable, car-free tourism in our county. The benefits of this scheme are obvious. By creating easier access to local attractions by foot, bicycle and public transport, we are strengthening our local visitor economy, supporting residents to live independent and healthy lives, and helping Suffolk on its journey to creating the Greenest County.”

Good Journey Director, Nat Taplin said:

“We’re excited to be teaming up with some of Suffolk’s great attractions – to share easy travel directions and discounts for people arriving by train, bus, bike and foot. Welcoming car-free visitors is a win-win for all involved. It opens the door to the many visitors, from both the UK and overseas, who don’t have access to a car. It helps to cut carbon and traffic – keeping Suffolk special – and boosts the local economy too.”

Richard Hunt, Strategic Lead for the Visitor Economy at Suffolk Growth said:

“Launching ‘Suffolk – Good Journey County’ is an important part of developing Suffolk’s sustainable tourism ambition. We know that not all visitors have cars, and we know that car travel emissions are a big part of the visitor carbon footprint. So, we’ll be working with local authorities, visitor attractions and transport partners to develop more attractive, affordable and sustainable car-free travel opportunities across the county”.

[Top image courtesy of Good Journey]