Thanet welcomed 4.6million visitors in 2019, bringing £352million into the economy and supporting 8,664 jobs, according to research commissioned by Visit Kent.
The research, which is collated every two years, shows an increase of 9% on tourism jobs compared to 2017, up 9.9% in visitors and a 10% increase on 2017 on spend into the local economy.
Tourism accounted for 20% of Thanet’s total employment last year.
Holidays made up 43% of visits, business accounted for 13% and visiting family and friends accounted for 33% with 11% listed as ‘other reasons.’
Some £25 million was spent on average in the local economy each month in 2019, as a direct result of the region’s tourism and hospitality industry.
Using the industry-respected Cambridge Economic Impact Model, the study measured the volume and value of tourism across the county in 2019, and the impact of visits and visitor expenditure on the local economy.
The release of Thanet’s latest Economic Impact findings not only provides a detailed picture of the significant effect the district’s tourism and hospitality sector had on the region’s wider economy last year, but also establishes a benchmark from which to measure the impact of COVID-19, and an extremely useful vehicle in aiding the recovery of the industry.
Cllr Ruth Duckworth, Cabinet Member for Estates and Economic Development at Thanet District Council said: “Everyone involved in Thanet’s tourism industry should feel very proud. They have worked hard to create a quality offering and we are delighted that this has once again driven positive results.#
“Whilst it’s encouraging to read about Thanet’s appeal as a destination, this year has been very challenging and the sector has been hit hard. Working with partners, we have plans including the Destination Management Framework and the Interreg Experience Project that will help tackle the impact of COVID-19 and encourage visitors out of the main summer season and to stay overnight in order to support economic growth in the district and beyond.”
Visit Kent’s latest Tourism Economic Impact Study shows that before the devastating impact of the Covid-19 pandemic, the county’s visitor economy had topped £4.1 billion for the first time ever, welcoming a record 66.5 million visitors in 2019.
The research showed that the number of tourism jobs across Kent increased 6% between 2017 and 2019, to 81,458, accounting for 11% of total employment in Kent last year.
The report used the Cambridge Economic Impact Model, measuring the volume and value of tourism in the county in 2019, and the impact of visits and visitor expenditure on the local economy.
Data also reveals the districts with the greatest number of overnight visitors were Canterbury (1,387.000) Medway (1,230,000) Swale (1,224,000) and Thanet (1,022,000).
The release of the report coincides with the launch of a significant programme of recovery, led by Visit Kent, alongside visitor economy partners at Visit Essex, East Sussex County Council and Sussex Modern.
The project, which has been titled Re-Building Confidence and Demand in the Visitor Economy, will be rolled out across the South East Local Enterprise Partnership (SELEP) area. The planned package of support will include major digital campaigns to drive off-season visits, increase consumer confidence and attract visitors, along with dedicated local campaigns to reboot the visitor economy ahead of the upcoming 2021 season.
The scheme has been awarded a grant from the SELEP Sector Support Fund: a £500,000 per year pot. The application has been awarded £200,000, with its project partners providing a range of cash and in-kind match-funding.
Deirdre Wells OBE, Chief Executive of Visit Kent, said: “We are extremely proud to be working not only with partners throughout our own county, but with allies across the region on an extensive programme of activity that aims to support the recovery of our industry following the ongoing effects of the Covid-19 pandemic.
“The insights presented through our latest research demonstrate the huge contribution our vital industry makes to the overall economy of Kent. The continued collaborative efforts of organisations across the region will be critical in championing the recovery of our sector during a particularly challenging year ahead.”
The recovery of Kent’s visitor economy will be further supported by funding secured by Visit Kent and Kent Downs AONB last year as part of a four-year European project. Interreg Experience will support businesses across the county to adapt to changing consumer trends and become more resilient by creating new visitor experiences.
For more information about the Thanet district, please visit: www.visitthanet.co.uk.
For more information about Kent, please visit www.visitkent.co.uk.
Thanet tourism in numbers
4.6 million trips were undertaken in the area
4.1 million day trips
0.5 million overnight visits
2.1 million nights in the area as a result of overnight trips
£25 million spent on average in the local economy each month.
£120 million generated by overnight visits
£166 million generated from day trips.
£352 million spent in the local area as result of tourism, taking into account multiplier effects.
8,664 jobs supported, both for local residents from those living nearby.
7,576 tourism jobs directly supported
1,088 non-tourism related jobs supported linked to multiplier spend from tourism
Car Parks – 2019 parking paid for via Ringo 183,205 (105,027 in 2017)
Boat Moorings – 4,142 visiting vessels and 7,500 visitor nights in 2019, up from 4,074 and 6,985 respectively in 2017.
