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.”