KENT has been named as one of the world's top three cruise destinations.

Cruise industry conference Seatrade Europe rated the county alongside Dubai Tourism and Cruise Baltic at its award ceremony in Hamburg.

Kent Cruise Connection Partnership, which works with the Port of Dover to promote local attractions and services to port of call cruise passengers and crew and to people leaving or joining their cruise ships in East Kent, entered the county for the prestigious award.

Cheryl Parker, at Kent Tourism, said: "We are determined to continue to earn such accolades for Kent and, as part of that commitment, we have developed new and exciting themes for our many cruise visitors from across the world."

The award was presented in Hamburg to Therese Heslop, head of visitor services at Canterbury Cathedral, representing the Kent Cruise Connection Partnership.

"This award shows just how much can be achieved when tourism business and service providers work together," she said.

"As a partnership, we will be building on this success to support the growing number of cruises calling at Dover and to ensure Kent is recognised as a first choice destination across the cruise industry."

Kate O’Hara, head of commercial and marketing, at the Port of Dover, said: "This is a tremendous vote of confidence from the cruise industry in the quality of services available to cruise ships in the Port of Dover; the warm welcome offered to passengers and crews when they arrive in Kent; and the wealth of attractions determined to showcase their county and build the cruise industry which is making a significant and growing contribution to the local economy."

Kent Cruise Connection Partnership members include the East Kent Partnership, the Port of Dover, Kent Tourism, Leeds Castle, Canterbury Cathedral, English Heritage, Dover District Council, Howletts and Port Lympne, The Ramada, Dover, Eastwell Manor, Chilston Park and The Kings Ferry Travel Group.

The Partnership hosted a stand at the Seatrade Europe exhibition showcasing its latest selection of excursions and experiences now available to cruise visitors to Kent.

These include helicopter rides, seal and coastal mystery tours on the luxury sports cruiser the Mona Lisa, hot air ballooning, and Bay Blast discovery tours of Whitstable and Herne Bay.

In addition, cruise guests can take a Sunrise Safari at Howletts and Port Lympne Wild Animal Parks to witness the African Experience come alive with the rising sun. Canterbury Cathedral , Leeds Castle and

English Heritage have teamed up to arrange a "Monarchs, Mistresses and Martyrs" tour, revealing the secrets of Tudor Kent.

In 2009 England will be marking the 500th anniversary of King Henry VIII’s accession to the throne. Kent’s Henry VIII trail reveals the hidden history of one of England’s most famous and colourful monarchs, with bespoke tours for groups of six to 15, historical re-enactors and the real life locations for the new movie "The Other Boleyn Girl", due for release next year.