The Pride in Thanet award winners have been announced

Thanet’s tourism heroes were celebrated at an awards ceremony in Broadstairs last night (March 27).

Finalists in the Pride of Thanet Awards, run by Thanet council with sponsors Southeastern and the Isle of Thanet Gazette, met at the Pavilion to hear who had scooped the top awards.

The event, now in its 12^th year, seeks to find those working within the local tourism, leisure and hospitality industry who ‘go the extra mile’ to ensure their customers receive a warm welcome and excellent customer service.

Speaking on the night Thanet council’s director of community services, Rob Kenyon, said the isle was bucking the tourism trend with national visitor trips being down 5 % while Thanet has seen a 16% increase.

Highlighting recent successes with Heritage Action Zone funding for Ramsgate and upcoming investment in Dreamland and the opening of St Augustine’s visitor centre Mr Kenyon said: “Business continues to boom and the Heritage Action Zone could be a major step change for all isle businesses.

“Thanet is the fastest growing tourism destination in the UK.”

Thanet tourism in numbers

Tourism brings £300m to Thanet’s economy

There are 7,300 jobs across the sector – a rise of 20% in 2 years

The isle has 4million visitors a year

There are 3.4million day trips to Thanet annually

Overnight visits bring in £122million

There has been a 59% increase to the isle in overseas visitors

Thanet is Kent’s 2nd most popular destination for overseas visitors

The Yarrow

Guest speaker was Shane Godwin, commercial director at East Kent College and the driving force behind The Yarrow hotel on the college site.

Mr Godwin revealed that the hotel had generated an income of £500,000 since its opening last July and created 40 full and part time jobs alongside the work-based training of more than 125 students so far.

He also revealed plans for EKC to launch a recruitment agency to place young people in work.

He said: “We are investing time in young people and being at the hotel will give them the skills needed for when local businesses need people for last minute shifts.”

Students working at The Yarrow receive payment and all staff are paid the living wage.

The Yarrow in numbers

1890s – convalescent home

World War One hospital

1960s – College

2011 – building in empty

2016 – It opens as the UK’s first further education hotel The Yarrow

The hotel has 28 beds and 5 suites

64 cover restaurant

50-person capacity bar

120 person capacity function room

Since opening 2,600 beds have been made

Income generated is £500,000

126 students in training so far

40 staff

Average age of staff is 28

Thanet Tourism Super Star

The ceremony this year saw the award for the first Thanet Tourism Super Star.

Paula Harbidge, from Thanet’s tourism team, introduced the award, saying: “The first Thanet Tourism Super Star award goes to someone who goes over and beyond to make sure every visitor receives a memorable and rewarding experience.”

The award was presented to Sam Watling from Revolution skate park for his enthusiasm and work with customers.

Sam will be entered into the national tourism super star competition.

A special award was also presented to Debbie Fifield for her work with the Beach Within Reach charity which provides all-terrain wheelchairs for locals and visitors who may need extra help accessing the beach.