Thanet’s tourism industry demonstrated an impressive recovery in 2023, according to a study commissioned by Local Visitor Economy Partnership (LVEP) Visit Kent.
The detailed report shows Thanet’s tourism industry has shown strong signs of recovery with visitor numbers reaching 99% of pre-pandemic levels. Some 4.6 million people chose to visit Thanet in 2023, a growth of 18% versus trips in 2021.
Thanet’s tourism industry has not only rebounded in volume, but also made significant strides in value, generating £349 million in revenue – 99% of 2019 levels -a 65% rise compared to 2021.
Tourism also continues to boost local employment, supporting 8,257 jobs across Thanet. It represents 19% of the total employment within the district.
The number of overseas visitors to Thanet has surged significantly, with 171,300 trips made in 2023, exceeding pre-pandemic levels by 12%.
Day trips to Thanet have also performed well, nearing 2019 levels with 4.1 million day trips, a 15% increase compared to 2021. Spending on day trips reached £163 million, a 65% increase compared to 2021.
In addition to leisure, the report also shows an increase in the number of people coming to Thanet for business purposes; in 2023, these contributed 8% of total visits, up from 1% in 2021. The year-round visits help to support Thanet’s local businesses outside of the main summer season.
The study uses the Cambridge Economic Impact Model to measure the volume and value of tourism within a destination, as well as visits and visitor expenditure on the local economy.
Cllr Ruth Duckworth, Cabinet member for Regeneration and Growth at Thanet District Council, said: “This latest research shows an extremely positive picture for tourism in Thanet, with an impressive increase in visitor numbers, from both the UK and overseas. The Isle is unique; we have a stunning coastline with award winning beaches and bays. Our towns each have a distinctive character, mixing classic seaside heritage with a modern, creative appeal.
“Clearly, Thanet is recognised for the diversity of what it can offer to visitors, and this is thanks in no small part to the many people who work in the tourism industry.
“We are committed to supporting local businesses to boost tourism still further, and importantly, outside of the main summer season. The planned regeneration projects, both through the Margate Town Deal and Levelling Up Fund, will bring huge benefits to the visitor sector and the wider local economy.”
The tourism recovery is evident across the county but there are also still challenges.
Visit Kent Chief Executive, Deirdre Wells OBE, said: ”The remarkable recovery in Kent’s tourism sector highlights the resilience and adaptability of our industry. Reaching 99% of pre-pandemic visitor volumes, and generating £4.1 billion in revenue, demonstrates the vital role tourism plays in driving economic growth, supporting over 77,000 jobs, and showcasing Kent as a premier destination for visitors from near and far.
“As we continue to celebrate Kent’s rebound and recovery, it’s crucial to also acknowledge the industry’s ongoing challenges, particularly with the current economic pressures and operational costs that our local businesses face daily.
“Through our newly launched Destination Management Plan, we’re committed to addressing these challenges head-on, supporting our partners, and advocating for policies that help sustain the industry. It is clear that, despite the strides we’ve made, there is more work ahead to ensure tourism in Kent continues to thrive and ultimately reaches its full potential.”
To access the full Thanet Economic Impact Study 2023 report go to the Visit Thanet website.
Adding to this article how many people know the role of Ramsgate Tunnels? 23,000 people came on paid tunnel tours between January and October 2024.
I only Guide a few tours each week but the people I see are mostly from outside Kent. Intetestingly we have many schools from mainland Europe visiting as well as language students, I took a group from Columbia recently.
The Tunnels are recognised as a structure of special intetest by British engineers and of international significance by various groups. Indeed Imperial College London is including the Tunnels in its events in January 2025.
As well as this the Tunnels free
museum has many visitors as does its
cafe.
The other activities include work on archives that uncover fascinating aspects of social history.
I doubt any other site in Thanet can boast this level if success.
Come and visit! Come and volunteer!
The Tunnels are truly wonderful and well done
Love the Ramsgate Tunnels, brilliant volunteers and history brought to life in a great way
If the locals stop complaining about the visitors we might actually have even more who are an essential boost to the local economy. All we read in the summer months are that lot in the Botany Bay Area constant moaning about visitors
Having an audacity to want to go to botany Bay with their families and where they park their cars. Visitors mean jobs to local folk and keeps businesses trading.
No thank you-our shops are local shops for local people & there is nothing for these people here.
Bloody nonsense again by someone who doesn’t know what they’re talking about. Botany Bay brings absolutely zero benefits to our economy. There is nowhere to buy food so they bring their own, there is little or no parking so they park on residents drives, the beach can’t take the numbers or deal with the number needing to use the toilet so they leave it on the beach and worse on the residents gardens. If that’s moaning your bonkers. The local economy gets sod all from this over promoted beach, so Bill do some fact checking and come back to me with any evidence to the contrary. Good luck with that!
“The local economy gets sod all from this over promoted beach, so Bill do some fact checking and come back to me with any evidence to the contrary. Good luck with that!”
It is you that has made the claim it doesn’t. The burden of proof lies upon you to prove your negative.
Great news perhaps with all the extra revenue TDC could start picking up all the litter spread across the boroughs.Also get out on the A2999 and clear the industrials levels of fly tip and litter that appear when you reach our Isle.
TDC aren’t responsible for highways. Funny how you didn’t know that.
Most visitors use the beach. Bring own food etc and spend nothing in the town. Leave a landfill site that was a beach hours earlier.
Sad days.
Turner center visitors do not regenerate the town for certain!
Here’s Tony pontificating without any data on the back of a report full of data about the (positive) economic impact of tourists on Thanet…
Tony, judging from what I see, visitors to the Turner do spend a lot in the town shops and cafes. Exhibitions there also encourage all year round visits. A good proportion of beach visitors do buy locally as well. Coach trips might be a different story, but I believe they are supposed to pay a fee to TDC. It’s all there to see.
Clearly you don’t go to the old town and harbour area at all. Booming in the spring autumn and summer and still attracts weekenders off season. Turner Centre though not my cup of tea for the most part has been the catalyst for much of this regeneration
The wonders of statistics, the 99% of 2019 figure sounds good until you factor in inflation at which point the picture is much less rosy, ( effectively it’s about 20% down in real terms).
So in reality it’s a turd rolled in glitter.
Is there any evidence showing what AirBNB has had on the local economy? I was talking to a cab driver about this recently, who rents, and seemed knowledgeable, and who thinks it has hit the rental market hard in Thanet, with fewer homes available to rent. Is this true? If so it will force up rents.