Showcasing Thanet’s unique beaches, attracting more investment and creating additional attractions and accommodation are all part of what Thanet District Council hopes will be achieved following the development of a new Destination Management Plan for Thanet.
The plan, which is the first of its kind in Kent, has been created to help the area achieve its potential as a visitor destination, by working closely with local tourism industry businesses.
Developed in partnership with Visit Kent and overseen by leading destination consultants, Blue Sail, the plan has involved the contribution of almost 100 local businesses through a series of workshop sessions over the past eight months.
The final draft of the plan was shared with tourism industry businesses at an event yesterday (Tuesday 25 June) at Manston Airport, where they were encouraged to sign up to deliver some of the key activities.
The new plan sets out priorities for Thanet over the next five years to help improve the visitor economy and encourage investment into the area.
The priorities focus around, beach management, coastal regeneration and telling our stories.
Some of the specific activities include the creation of a beach management plan to help improve public information about beach cleaning and activities on offer, developing a new toolkit with businesses to help market and promote the area and improving trails and signs around the coast to help create an excellent first impression for visitors.
Cabinet Member for Tourism, Cllr. Iris Johnston, said: “The tourism industry in Thanet is worth £230 million to the local economy. This is a key priority for the area.
“Working together with local businesses and attractions is absolutely essential to maximizing the potential future growth of this industry and attracting millions of new visitors to the area.
“Those familiar with Thanet will know the wealth of stunning natural assets the coastline has to offer, and the great attractions there are to visit.
“The purpose of this plan is to help coordinate all of our efforts to make sure we’re selling Thanet at its absolute best, supporting local businesses who we know work tirelessly to provide attractions, accommodation, eateries and experiences and ultimately doing all we can to ensure we’re creating a unique and exciting experience for our visitors.”
“The purpose of this plan is to help coordinate all of our efforts to make sure we’re selling Thanet at its absolute best, supporting local businesses who we know work tirelessly to provide attractions, accommodation, eateries and experiences and ultimately doing all we can to ensure we’re creating a unique and exciting experience for our visitors.”
Michele Grant, Director of Blue Sail (Destination Consultants), said: “'A successful destination is one that agrees what is special and distinctive about the place and then uses that to prioritise action. That has been our approach to developing the Thanet DMP. We've involved the industry every step of the way and their commitment and enthusiasm will help ensure the DMP adds value to what is already happening”.
The Destination Management Plan is part of Thanet’s wider Economic Growth and Regeneration Strategy.
