ALMOST eight per cent of the county’s workforce is involved in promoting Kent to the outside world.

A significant example of this is the Kent Tourism Academy, a partnership between Kent County Council and Canterbury Christ Church University College.

This was set up two years ago as a means of organising the large number of groups that wanted to promote the county to tourists, business, job seekers, students and employees.

Kerstin Beeching, 27, a project manager based at Christ Church’s Hall Place, in Harbledown, said: "The academy came about when representatives from the industry got together to discuss the confusing situation whereby a large number of organisations was involved in tourism training and skills provision.

"The idea was to be the 'one-stop shop’ for the industry in terms of quality, education, skills, employment and careers within tourism."

One of the first tasks accomplished by the academy was to establish a foundation degree in management of tourism and hospitality. This programme, which is provided primarily online, is delivered jointly by Christ Church and Canterbury College.

Miss Beeching is now busy developing the academy website as a portal for information on areas such as tourism qualifications, jobs, training courses, workshops and conferences.

She said: "I want to raise the profile of tourism as an exciting industry. The ultimate aim is for Kent to become a renowned centre of excellence for tourism training and education."

Find out more about the Kent Tourism Academy at www.kenttourismacademy.co.uk or e-mail k.beeching@canterbury.ac.uk.