Latest News (Provided by Thanet Tourism Matters)

 

Take Pride

Congratulations to the winners and those highly commended at the 2010 Pride in Thanet awards at St Augustine's on 22nd March. Thanks also to all those who made the awards evening such a success. For the record the winners are:

  • Transport Employee - Peter Bovington, PD Minicoaches
  • Indoor Leisure Employee - Sarah Miller, Jungle Jim's
  • Outdoor Leisure Employee - Dave Melmoth, Joss Bay Surf School
  • Serviced Accommodation Employee - Heather Johnson, White Lodge Guest House
  • Non-serviced Accommodation Employees - Emma Barrowcliffe& Mark Salter, Nethercourt Touring Park
  • Hospitality Employee - Tony Fran, No 6 Brasserie
  • Attraction Employee - Derek Boorman, Powell-Cotton Museum
  • Team of the Year - Margate Visitor Information Centre
  • Hospitality Student - Josh Warner, Thanet College
  • Tourism Student - Charlotte Chambers, Thanet College
  • Thanet TV Champions Award - Charles Harsant
  • Pride in Thanet Award - Nick MacAskill, Eddie Gilbert's

A big thank you also to the award sponsors and to Visit Kent who organised the awards evening in conjunction with Thanet District Council.

 

New ITTA gains green light for change

The ITTA (Isle of Thanet Tourism Association) has obtained a green light from the executive committee to push forward with recommendations made by the Way Forward working group following a 3 month programme of workshops and events to reshape its future.

"We are delighted that the recommendations have been adopted and we can start putting the plans into action over the next 6 months" said Paul Palmer, new Chairman of the ITTA. One of the significant changes has been the decision to employ professional support from Destination Alliances to enhance the passionate work done by committed volunteers. "The ITTA joins a growing number of local tourism groups around the country to benefit from the support and resources we are able to bring to the table" said Michael Hancock, CEO of Destination Alliances.

The ITTA will be hosting monthly networking events over the next 6 months open to all tourism businesses in Thanet before a major conference in October later this year to celebrate the re-launch of the New ITTA. To make sure you can have your say on the future of tourism in Thanet and to find out more contact Michael Hancock on 0845 222 0105.

 

Kent 2020

Visit Kent and Tourism South East will launch their new branding and marketing campaigns for 2010 during the Business Breakfast at this year's Kent 2020 Conference and Exhibition at the County Showground, Detling, on 22 April. Thanet Tourism is a partner in the Kent Contemporary campaign and a Thanet award-winning beach will be one of five leading images to be used in the high-profile poster advertising and other parts of the campaign. As part of the campaign Visit Kent and Thanet Tourism are also working with Infratil to promote the new Flybe services from Edinburgh due to start at the end of next month.

For more information on Kent 2020 visit http://www.kent2020.co.uk/index.html but note that online registration closes on 19th April.

 

Natural Economy East Kent one day conference

The Natural Economy East Kent Partnership has organised a one-day conference to explore the economic benefits of the natural environment. Taking place at the Grove Ferry Inn at Upstreet on Tuesday 27th April, presentations will include a double-act by Ruth Wood of Visit Kent and sustainable tourism consultant Sarah Loftus on harnessing natural tourism assets.

 

Thanet leg of the 'Great Tour' bike ride

On 7th July Thanet will welcome the 'Great Tour' charity circumnavigation of Britain's coastline by bicycle. The tour will start on the 3rd July 2010 in Seaton, Devon and wind its way anti-clockwise around the coastline ending back in Seaton on the 4th September 2010. There will 64 stages in all, averaging 103km a day, all in aid of The Prostate Cancer Charity and the National Grocers Benevolent Fund. Led by Olympian Daley Thompson the tour will also spotlight the appeal of seaside towns and aim to boost cycle tourism, with opportunities to join the tour party as they travel through Thanet. Further information is available at http://www.thegreattour.org

 

In the media

Recent features include "Top 10 things to do in Margate" published on the Guardian's website on 9th April and a flying visit to Margate by Adrian Chiles and Christine Bleakley of BBC's 'One Show'. Plans for Dreamland also feature prominently in an article on Britain's amusement parks in the Independent on 11th April.

While Ramsgate's Eddie Gilbert's restaurant enjoyed another rave review in the Sunday Telegraph on 4th April following a similarly enthusiastic review in the Observer in March. The former finished by stating "Ramsgate is becoming a gourmet's destination. Thanet is the Amalfi Coast of Kent".

 

New Tourism Framework for England

A new Strategic Framework for Tourism for 2010-2020 was launched on 18th March by Joanna Lumley at the Best of Britain and Ireland Trade Exhibition at London Olympia. The Framework and its associated Action Plan is the product of extensive consultation and collaboration with England's tourism industry. It sets out the ways in which the industry can work together to achieve a 5% growth in value, year-on-year, over the next decade. Both documents can be downloaded from www.enjoyengland.com.