Council engages new advocates to help Thanet shine

Thanet District Council is thrilled to have new company, Tourism Works, onboard to help drive forward Thanet’s Destination Management Plan.

Thanet District Council instigated the Destination Management Plan and formulated this with input from partners and local businesses. This aims to champion Thanet’s distinctive assets and help it stand out from the competition. Tourism consultancy, Tourism Works is now working with Thanet District Council to maintain strategic partnerships and liaise with local businesses to facilitate the delivery of this plan.

Almost 100 local businesses were involved in the formulation of the plan which was the first of its kind in Kent and acts as a blueprint for developing, managing and promoting Thanet as a tourist destination. At the heart of this is the partnership between the council and tourism businesses with both public and private entities working together to maximise the tourism potential of the unique area.  

Tourism Works will be assisting in the delivery of the plan and implementing key activities with local businesses, individuals and organisations through a Steering Group and three Project Groups, one for each of the key priorities. The groups consist of individual volunteers who will be representing and acting on behalf of the tourism industry to help oversee and deliver the actions set out in the Destination Management Plan. 

The three key priorities in the Destination Management Plan and a snapshot of actions for 2014 include:

• Beach Management and Development - including a strategic focus on beach management with a beach by beach approach to ensure the regions beaches are at their prime in time for the peak tourist season
• Coastal Regeneration – including promotion of key tourism development sites to investors
• Telling our Stories – including use of digital marketing

Cabinet Member for Tourism, Cllr. Iris Johnston, said: “The Destination Management Plan has been shaped by partners and local businesses who work in the tourism industry. This coming together of private and public organisations will ensure we are doing the best we can to attract millions of new visitors to the area. We aim to appeal to new investors at the same time. Tourism is worth in excess of £230 million to the local economy and I’m very pleased to have Tourism Works assisting.’

Founders of Tourism Works Fran Warrington and Kiki Case live locally bringing a wealth of experience in not only the national tourism scene but also all important local knowledge. Kiki says, “Fran and I are excited about being involved in the development of this beautiful area. There is a positive energy in the air – increasing numbers of visitors are coming back to the Great British seaside, people are moving here for the air, the space and the calmer pace of life. The Destination Management Plan has come at the perfect time and we are looking forward to working with local businesses, the community and the Council to make positive changes to Thanet.”

Local tourism businesses and people passionate about Thanet, with relevant experience and time to spare who would like to be actively involved in the Project Groups should send expressions of interest to Fran Warrington fran.warrington@tourismworks.co.uk (Beach Management and Development and also Coastal Regeneration) or to kikicase@hotmail.co.uk  (Telling Our Stories).

Thanet District Council’s Economic Growth and Regeneration Strategy can be found in the district’s Corporate Plan. Further information about visiting Thanet can be found at www.visitthanet.co.uk to read the Destination Management Plan in full visit the council’s website www.thanet.gov.uk