Discover Folkestone Welcomes Rise in Shepway Visitor Numbers
MORE people are coming to Shepway for holiday and day trips, according to the latest Tourism South East survey of the local visitor economy. An estimated 3.7 million UK and overseas visitors are spending more than £197 million a year.
Comparing the results of its two most recent surveys - in 2003 and 2006 - the regional tourist board reports a three per cent increase in staying visitors (to 420,159), a six per cent increase in nights stayed (1,506,801) and a 12 per cent increase in accommodation spend to more than £66 million.
Day trip numbers rose by four per cent to nearly 3.3 million with spending up by a whopping 21 per cent to more than £101 million. Stay-over and expenditure figures for both domestic and overseas visitors were significantly higher than those recorded in the previous survey.
Taking into account all sources of visitor revenue, total income generated by tourism for businesses in Folkestone, Hythe and Romney Marsh in 2006 was more than £197 million, an increase of three per cent. Local employment supported by the tourism economy was up by six per cent, and the same increase was recorded in the proportion of tourism-related jobs to other employment.
The report, made public last week, has been warmly welcomed by Chris Kirkham, manager of the DiscoverFolkestone, Hythe and Romney Marsh tourism organisation, the partnership of commercial and public sector interests responsible for attracting UK and overseas visitors to the district.
But he warned that increasing competition from other places whose economy also depended on tourism meant that there could be no let-up in activities to promote the diversity of its appeal and the many new features now coming on stream.
"The figures reflect significantly upward trends during a period before regeneration programmes had started to transform the quality and quantity of experiences on offer to visitors. Now, there are extra opportunities to maintain the momentum. The traditional appeal of Folkestone, the hub of a district which already possesses advantages envied by many seaside resorts, has been greatly enhanced by developments in the town centre, 'old town' and harbour areas. These and projects in progress or at stages of planning will give the whole district a premier position as as a holiday, leisure and touring destination", said Mr Kirkham.
"A lively events programme plays an important part in persuading visitors where to spend leisure time and money, and the introduction of the Folkestone Triennial into the district's busy calendar is expected to attract scores of thousands of extra visitors between June and September.
"More to see and do - plus more places to stay - make powerful magnets to attract visitors, and we are using them to the full to promote reasons to visit Folkestone, Hythe and the Romney Marsh".
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