Essex has become one of the most popular tourist destinations in the eastern region.

A new report claims that one in five tourists who take trips to the region settle on Essex as the preferred destination.

Essex's popularity with both oversees and British visitors has been revealed in the report by the East of England Tourist Board, which aims to set the region's goals in generating even more tourism in the future.

Tess Wright, managing director of the East of England Tourist Board, said with Harwich International Port, seaside resorts and historic towns like Colchester, Essex was set to fare well in the future.

She said more and more visitors coming to Essex were on short breaks, and that there had been a definite rise in the numbers of Dutch and Belgian visitors coming into the county from Harwich.

"We have had a very successful last few years and Colchester has benefited in particular from Stena Line's services from Holland and Belgium," she said.

"Because more people can afford to take their major holiday abroad, the short visit breaks will become increasingly important. And Essex stands to benefit from this - especially since people are taking more and more short breaks."

The action plan laid out in the report includes improving training in the tourism business, establishing a positive identity for the whole region and creating more walking routes to mirror successful cycling routes.

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