Tourism Thriving In White Cliffs Country

Tourism continues to flourish in the Dover District, with tourism related jobs increasing by 4.2% in 2017 and the industry now accounting for 17% of all total employment, according to research released this week.

Independent research commissioned by Visit Kent, on behalf of Dover District Council and the district’s three town councils, also revealed that the value of White Cliffs Country’s visitor economy grew by 6.5% in 2017 and is now worth £282 million.

Visits rose by 2.45% to 4.6 million trips which included nearly half a million overnight stays and an increase in the number of day trips to 4.2 million, a rise of 7.2% when compared to 2015. The economic value of day trips to White Cliffs Country also saw a healthy growth with a rise of 9.5%.

Cllr MJ Holloway, Dover District Council’s Cabinet Member for Tourism, said: “I am delighted to see that tourism across the district has continued on its upward trajectory, creating more opportunities and wider economic benefits for our community.

“This research demonstrates why we have placed a key focus upon tourism and the visitor economy in the district with an ambitious tourism agenda.  The future for the district is exciting with creative plans to put White Cliffs Country and our three principal towns of Deal, Dover and Sandwich firmly on the map as destinations of choice.

“We will be working hard with partners across the district to ensure that we harness the potential of the Open Golf Championship in 2020. The district can also anticipate the introduction of new possibilities to the tourism and visitor economy as we form new and strengthen existing relationships with industry partners and town councils to supplement and continue to facilitate our already fantastic visitor offer, which includes some of the finest heritage, landscapes and nature that Great Britain has to offer.”

Deirdre Wells OBE, Chief Executive of Visit Kent, added: “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.”

Paul Carter, Leader of Kent County Council, 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.”

For more information about White Cliffs Country, please see the White Cliffs Country website.

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