Tourism is on the up in Medway, according to new research.

Figures from 2017, the most recent period data was available from, show the industry is now worth £333 million a year in Medway following a rise of 6.2%.

Tourism website Visit Kent commissioned the study which also show the number of day trips to the Towns grew by 6.3% to 4.4 million while their value also rose by 6.7%.

There were half a million overnight stays and the total number of jobs supported by tourism grew by 6.1% to 6,488, with the industry accounting for 7% of total employment in Medway.

Council cabinet member for community services Cllr Howard Doe said: “In 2017 we hosted an extensive programme of events and activities which marked 350 years since the Battle of Medway. The action-packed celebrations attracted thousands of visitors from across the UK and abroad.

“The Heritage Lottery Fund has also invested millions in Medway’s historic tourist attractions including Eastgate House and the Historic Dockyard Chatham over recent years.

“I am also very pleased that more people than ever before are visiting Medway and discovering what we have to offer including our award winning parks, shopping centres, free festivals and events as well as our historic castles and buildings. Medway really does offer something for everyone to enjoy.”

Kent welcomed 65m visitors in 2017, and the visitor economy’s value leapt by 7 % to £3.8 billion.

Since 2006 the value of the county's tourism industry has risen by a third.