Tourism in Sussex has had a successful season, despite anxieties over foot-and-mouth, floods and lack of international visitors.

Margaret Shephard, development manager at Eastbourne College of Arts and Technology (ECAT), said after a shaky start mid-summer bookings at hotels and guest houses in the county were up on previous years, with businesses involved working hard to promote the area.

Behind the scenes, councils organised a season of events, fully supported by Sussex Enterprise, chambers of commerce and South-East England Tourist Board.

Although Sussex did not suffer any cases, foot-and-mouth is estimated to have cost businesses in the county £180 million, according to Sussex Enterprise.

Ms Shephard said: "The importance of tourism cannot be ignored. In the South-East, it generates an income of £3 billion a year, supports employment for 100,000 people and contributes 7.5 per cent of the regional gross domestic product.

"Today's tourists expect a lot more. Even after a successful season Sussex must not be complacent. It must develop customer service skills to an international standard if it is to attract more overseas visitors and younger UK guests."

The college is gearing up training for tourism and leisure with the introduction of a Quality Edge course.

Ms Shephard said: "Traditionally, wages and training opportunities for those employed in the industry have been poor and this has meant high staff turnover and uncommitted employees.

This must change, so we must develop tourism skills. "Sussex is lucky enough to have the Quality Edge project which aims to identify training needs, promote employee development development and fund new training."

The project will allow any business involved in tourism in Sussex to benefit from a free consultancy and highly-subsidised training for their staff.

A basic food hygiene course, normally costing £39, is available for £18, a Welcome Host course, normally costing £58, is £18 and a two-day supervisors' course, normally costing £199, is £45.

Participating businesses will be awarded the Quality Edge certificate once they have completed the relevant number of training hours.

The project, funded by the European Social Fund and the Sussex Learning and Skills Council, is led by Sussex Enterprise and ECAT and delivered in Eastbourne, Lewes and Worthing.

Ms Shephard said: "For some years, we have been working with various partners in Sussex to obtain funds for training.

"Now we have the funds, we hope as many people as possible will take up the training places".

It is hoped to obtain further funding to allow the project to continue until December 2003.