The ICT, financial services and business support sectors are important in developing a more competitive local business economy as they tend to be made up of relatively higher value adding companies.  These sectors have all experienced significant growth in the Bournemouth and Poole conurbation during the last decade.

Tourism remains a vital sector to both Dorset’s countryside and the Bournemouth and Poole conurbation.  Employment projections for the tourism sector continue to show significant growth potential.  There are initiatives underway to develop the higher value end of the tourism market, which should benefit from the Weymouth and Portland National Sailing Academy hosting all the sailing events for the 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games.  The strong tourism sector also supports the area’s vibrant creative industries.

Although the rural and food and drink sectors are traditionally viewed as being in decline, recent trends towards farmers markets for high quality products with low ‘food miles’ have created numerous opportunities that have already led to greater economic diversity within Dorset’s more rural communities.