by Adam Williams

awilliams@thekmgroup.co.uk

Tourism is worth more than £400 million to Canterbury’s
economy.

New research has revealed the industry has grown by 13 per cent
in three years around the city. The Cambridge Model survey of
tourism, commissioned by Visit Kent and based on
statistics gathered in 2009, has also shown a marked rise in
Swale.

Across Kent, the economy has grown by 10 per cent between 2006
and 2009, with an eight per cent increase in the number of visitors
and a seven per cent increase in the number of jobs. An estimated
63,000 jobs help generate £3.2 billion to Kent’s economy.

Canterbury City Council’s culture guru Janice McGuinness was
delighted to learn of the increased impact.

She said: “These results underline the great importance of tourism
to our city and our local economy.

“We’re
committed to working with our tourism organisations and businesses
through our Visit Canterbury partnership scheme to support this
sector, which also contributes so much to the quality of life we
enjoy.”

With the new Marlowe Theatre and refurbished Beaney Institute
set to open within the next 12 months, more revenue is expected to
be generated by the industry.

In Swale, 4.4 million day trips were carried out by tourists, up
eight per cent compared with 2006. Day trip expenditure was also on
the increase from £123 million in 2006 to £134 million in
2009.

Local businesses benefited from £13.4 million of direct turnover
spent by visitors with second homes or boats, and local residents
entertaining their guests.

Sandra Matthews-Marsh, chief executive at Visit Kent added:
“These tremendous results really demonstrate that Kent and Medway
are increasingly recognised as a top UK destination both at home
and abroad.”