EAST Hampshire District Council (EHDC) is looking to the future with a new approach to promoting tourism across the district.

Rapidly developing digital technologies are making it easier for visitors to access information via online sources rather than seeking face-to-face advice.

Visitor numbers to tourist information centres have fallen significantly in recent years and that trend is set to continue, not only in East Hampshire but across the country.

As a result, EHDC has agreed not to renew the contract for Petersfield’s tourist information centre. The centre, a manned information service in Petersfield Library, will close on April 25.

Glynis Watts, EHDC’s portfolio holder for business support, said the move reflects changing trends in visitor habits.

She said: “Over the last decade the numbers of people using the tourist information centre has fallen significantly and we expect that to fall even further over the next few years. We must make sure we are always looking forward and stay ahead of these trends.

“The council considers there are better ways of supporting the visitor economy and will ensure that strong collaboration between Tourism South East, EHDC and our partners continues.”

Mrs Watts added: “The tourist information centre has provided a fantastic service to visitors to the town and I would like to express my thanks to the staff there for their wonderful work over many years.”

Nigel Smith, chief executive of Tourism South East, said: “We are naturally disappointed that there will no longer be a traditional tourist information centre in Petersfield but we understand the reasons for the decision and look forward to still being able to support EHDC through our existing destination partnership.”

* While Alton’s tourist information centre was axed in 2008 in favour of a much reduced tourist information point, leaving Petersfield as East Hampshire’s tourist information centre headquarters, according to an EHDC spokesman, “the current decision to close Petersfield tourist information centre is not expected impact on Alton’s tourist information point”.