insideKENT Magazine Issue 83 - February 2019 | Page 129

NEWS
KENT TOURISM ECONOMY
FLOURISHES AS VISITOR NUMBERS
RISE TO 65 MILLION
TOP THREE FINALISTS REVEALED IN
TASTE OF KENT AWARDS 2019
Public voting has now closed for the Taste of Kent Awards 2019 and Produced
in Kent have revealed the top three finalists in the categories voted for by the
public. The top three finalists (in alphabetical order) are:
PAUL CARTER AND DEIRDRE WELLS
Kent Beer of the Year: Gadds’ No 11 by Ramsgate Brewery / Good Sheppard
by Goody Ales / Reliant Robin by Rockin Robin Brewery
Kent’s visitor economy has increased 7% and topped £3.8 billion for the first
time ever, after welcoming a record 65 million visitors in 2017. Kent Butchers Shop of the Year: Hammond's Butchers / Shaun and Steve
O'Meara Butchers / S.W.Doughty
Independent research commissioned by Visit Kent has revealed that 64,970,000
visitors came to The Garden of England in 2017, and the county remains the
third most visited destination outside of London for foreign visitors. Kent Cider or Perry of the Year: Biddenden Strong Kentish Cider, Biddenden
Vineyards / Disco Dudda, Dudda’s Tun Cider / High Diver, Kentish Pip
Overseas overnight visits to the county increased by 4% with an 8% increase in
the number of nights stayed, and a 10% increase in the resulting value.
Across the county, visitor spending figures in Kent continue to rise compared to
2015, with the highest ever numbers reported for spending in the county from
both day and overnight visits.
Tourism jobs have also increased by 6.8% to 76,828, and now account for 11%
of total employment across the county.
Chief executive of Visit Kent, Deirdre Wells OBE said: “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. 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 industry-respected Cambridge Economic Impact Model, this new
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.
Kent Coffee Shop or Tea Room of the Year: Café Nucleus, Chatham /
The Independent Pedaler, Bridge / The Yard, Faversham
Kent Dining Pub or Bistro of the Year: The Butcher’s Block, Burham /
The Ferry House Inn, Sheerness / The King’s Head, Wye
Kent Food Producer of the Year: Kent Crisps & Kentish Oils / Precious
Porkers / Vegan Perks
Kent Local Food Retailer of the Year: Austen's of Rochester / Barham
Village Store / MB Farms Food Hall
Kent Restaurant of the Year: The Corner House, Canterbury / The Small
Holding, Kilndown / Thackeray’s, Royal Tunbridge Wells
Kent Tastiest Juice of the Year: Kentish Cherry Juice, Dallaways Cherries
/ Park Farm Apple Juice, Taywell Farm Shop / Goudhurst Red Love Apple
Juice, Biddenden Vineyards
Kent Wine of the Year: Bacchus, Chapel Down / Kits Koty Chardonnay,
Chapel Down / Ortega, Biddenden Vineyards
Leader of Kent County Council, Paul Carter, said: “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”. Stephanie Durling, Manager at Produced in Kent comments: “We have had a
fantastic level of participation from both the public and the food and drink
businesses here in Kent once again this year. Incredibly, we have seen 25% more
businesses nominated and 40% more votes cast overall than last year.”
Deirdre added: “These figures demonstrate that, wherever you are based in Kent,
tourism can bring growth, prosperity and jobs to your community. Our challenge
going forward will be to turn more of our day visits into overnight stays and short
breaks, bringing even further growth to the county.” The top three in each category make it through to the final round of tasting,
mystery shopping, mystery dining and expert judging panels and the winners will
be announced at the Taste of Kent Awards Gala dinner, which takes place 7th
March 2019 at the Kent Event Centre, Detling.
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