COME to the Suffolk coast - that was the rallying call being made by tourism chiefs this week.

With the launch of their first ever joint holiday guide, Waveney and Suffolk Coastal Councils have joined forces to promote the Suffolk Coast as a tourism destination in 2012.

Creating a clear tourism identity running from the Southern Broads to Felixstowe, The Suffolk Coast Holiday Guide - produced by the councils' tourism teams in conjunction with tourism businesses across the districts - replaces two previous, separate handbooks.

With 68 full-colour pages, the Suffolk Coast Holiday Guide has been carefully produced to encourage new and returning visitors to the area by promoting a wealth of attractions, accommodation, days out and things to do. 75,000 copies have been printed and are now being circulated through a targeted national marketing campaign, tourist information networks and events and seminars.

Tourism in Waveney and Suffolk Coastal is worth over �0.5bn to the local economy and the districts welcome around eight million visitors each year. The cuncils' tourism teams work closely together, and with tourism businesses, to help ensure the area is promoted as a holiday destination and this new guide is just one part of their strategic approach to spreading the word about the Suffolk Coast. Additionally, the joint guide costs less to produce than the two previous versions combined, saving money from tourism budgets in the coming year.

Councillor Bruce Provan and Councillor Geoff Holdcroft, portfolio holders for leisure, tourism and economic development at Waveney and Suffolk Coastal respectively are both delighted with the guide and believe the joint approach makes perfect sense.

Councillor Provan said: 'The Suffolk Coast has its own clear identity, with its beautiful beaches and coastline, idyllic countryside, market towns and so much more. The combined skills of our tourism teams and businesses will ensure that this message is heard loud and clear and we really look forward to welcoming new visitors to the area in 2012.'

• The guide can be viewed at www.waveney.gov.uk and www.suffolkcoastal.gov.uk/tourism www.thesuffolkcoast.co.uk and www.visit-sunrisecoast.co.uk.