THE head of Kent Tourism has welcomed new government guidelines that put the needs of tourism and tourism businesses at the heart of planning decisions.

Fran Warrington said: "Tourism is one of Kent’s key industries directly contributing more than £1.8billion to the county economy annually and supporting almost 50,000 jobs.

"Kent is recognised as a key visitor destination. We are attracting major investment in a wide range of exciting tourism developments, such as Dickens World, Gravesend Heritage Quarter and Turner Contemporary as well as essential infrastructure improvements such as the New Sheppey Crossing.

"The new national guidelines reflect the high importance that should be given to the needs of tourism in its broadest sense when planning applications are considered.

"And they recognise the vital role tourism plays, at all levels, in regeneration and sustainable environmental projects."

The guidelines, which came into force in September, were drawn up by the national Tourism Alliance, working in partnership with the Government and the Department of Culture, Media and Sports (DCMS).

They were presented to planners from across the county at a Kent Tourism seminar by Brigid Simmonds, a Tourism Alliance board member and former chairman.

The Tourism Alliance represents more than 46 trade associations and 200,000 tourism businesses across the country.