Kent’s visitor economy has increased by 7 per cent and topped £3.8billion for the first time, after welcoming a record 65 million visitors in 2017.
Research commissioned by Visit Kent shows that there were 64,970,000 to the county which is the third most-visited destination outside of London for foreign visitors.
Overnight visits from overseas to the county increased by 4 per cent with an 8 per cent increase in the number of nights stayed, and a 10 per cent increase in the spend.
Tourism jobs have also increased by 6.8 per cent to 76,828, and now account for 11 per cent of total employment across the county, according to Visit Kent.
“Tourism is the UK’s fastest growing service sector and these figures demonstrate the contribution which our vital industry makes to the economy of Kent,” says Visit Kent chief executive Deirdre Wells. “With our stunning countryside, world-class heritage, and delicious locally sourced food and drink, it is no surprise that visitors’ numbers are increasing. The collective efforts of tourism businesses across the county have paid dividends and this partnership will be critical in ensuring that this growth continues during a challenging year ahead.”
Using the Cambridge Economic Impact Model, the research measured the volume and value of tourism in the county in 2017, and the impact of visits and visitor expenditure on the local economy. Canterbury had the highest number of trips (7.8 million) and the highest visitor spend (£392million) in the county. Canterbury’s tourism employment now accounts for 16 per cent of the district’s total employment.
Thanet saw the highest increase in day visitor numbers in the county, rising by 9.9 per cent to 3.7 million. Over £319million was spent in the area as a result of tourism, an increase of 9.2 per cent on 2015. Thanet’s tourism employment now accounts for 19 per cent of the district’s total employment.
Other district with strong increases included Tonbridge and Malling which saw a 10.1 per cent increase in the value of day trips, and Sevenoaks which had a 9 per cent rise in day trips.
Since 2006, the value of Kent’s tourism industry has risen by 33 per cent.
Kent county council leader Paul Carter adds: “The results from the 2017 survey commissioned by Visit Kent clearly show that the visitor economy is increasingly important to the county’s future prosperity”.
