Kent Big Weekend 2019: Ballot for free tickets to Thanet’s top attractions opens tomorrow

Thanet residents can get out and experience some of the area’s most popular local attractions at no cost this spring. A total of 24 different venues and attractions are offering free tickets as part of the 2019 Kent Big Weekend. The annual event, organised by Visit Kent, offers the public the chance to visit some of the county’s best attractions – and it’s free.

The Kent Big Weekend is a countywide affair and takes place during English Tourism Week. This year Saturday 6 and Sunday 7 April are the dates for the diary. The ballot opens on Thursday 21 February and will close on Sunday 17 March, giving people plenty of time to get involved.

With the largest ever number of attractions in Thanet taking part, this is a golden opportunity for residents to discover the wealth of things to do on their doorstep. Who better to ask about a local attraction than someone from the area who has enjoyed it? Anyone who successfully secures tickets will be invited to share their experience on social media, tell their friends and even return with relatives. Our residents have the potential to be our biggest champions.

Thanet District Council’s Coastal Tourism and Development team has been busy encouraging local attractions to participate, to ensure a great presence and exposure for Thanet during the weekend, raising the profile of the fabulous attractions that can be found in the area. Of the 24 attractions taking part, there are four businesses taking part for the very first time this year.

• Stagecoach Open Top Bus – Tickets for their Open Top Bus service
• Westwood Cross – £10 Westwood Cross Gift Card
• The Bay Tree – Complimentary glass of prosecco per diner when purchasing main course from A La Carte menu
• Rotten Ramsgate Tours – historical murder walking tour around Ramsgate

Crampton Tower Museum in Broadstairs is taking part again and is the only venue that has participated in the Kent Big Weekend every year since the initiative began, in 2006. Back then just ten of Thanet’s attractions took part.

Cllr Ash Ashbee, Cabinet Member for Coastal Development said: “The Kent Big Weekend is a fantastic opportunity for people to get out and make the most of the great attractions we have in the area. I would definitely encourage everyone to put their name into the ballot. There is so much to see and do here. This is reflected in the size of Thanet’s tourism economy which is worth £319m – it has grown by 9%. Having a thriving tourism offer in Thanet is vital for this growth. Our ambition is to continue to attract new and returning visitors by demonstrating that there are always reasons to keep coming to Thanet.”

Visit Kent Chief Executive Deirdre Wells said:  “Tourism is an incredibly important part of Kent’s economy and whilst we strive to attract new visitors to our county from London, the rest of the UK and abroad, we must never forget that our own residents are our greatest ambassadors who support our industry week in, week out. This is essentially why we created the Kent Big Weekend 13 years ago – to give residents a free day out to say thank you, and to create positivity and enthusiasm for their wonderful home county.”

“From beautiful coastline, to world-class art, Thanet has so much to offer residents right on their doorstep.  2019 looks set to be the biggest Big Weekend yet, so it really is a wonderful opportunity for discovering and rediscovering a whole host of superb attractions and activities – with the added bonus of everything being so close to home.”

Lucky winners will receive two tickets per household, allocated by random ballot. Family tickets will also be available for some attractions. Successful entrants will be notified on Monday 18 March.

Find out more about the Thanet venues taking part in the Kent Big Weekend and their offer at: www.visitthanet.co.uk/kentbigweekend

To register for free tickets, go to www.kentbigweekend.co.uk, from 21 February to 17 March.

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