Dover District Council is welcoming news that a €23.3 million project to deliver economic development through tourism experiences in the south of the UK and north of France has been given the green light.
Interreg Experience led by Norfolk County Council, alongside project partners Visit Kent and the Kent Downs AONB aims to deliver 24 million visitors and €147 million of additional visitor spend by extending the tourism season through the development of off-season bookable experiences with an emphasis on overnight stays.
The four-year project, starting September 2019, will include 14 partners from across England and France, with a focus on the six pilot regions of Norfolk, Kent, Cornwall, Pas-de-Calais, Compiègne, Morlaix & Côtes d’Armor. Dover District Council is one of ten organisations to have committed to match fund the Visit Kent and Kent Downs AONB budgets in support of Kent’s involvement in the project.
Partners have been awarded funding as part of the Interreg Channel Programme. Kent will benefit from an additional €3.3 million of funding, which will help to shape the development of new experiences, events and things to do. The project will also encourage additional visitor spend and more overnight stays in Kent during the quieter October to March period, as well as help cross-channel partnership working.
Cllr MJ Holloway, DDC Cabinet Member for tourism, said: “We are delighted to be involved in this exciting opportunity to boost tourism all year round, and to enhance the great experiences on offer in White Cliffs Country. We are very pleased to be able to work with our partners, including Visit Kent and the Kent Downs AONB on this project, and look forward to delivering a dynamic programme that will support economic growth in the district and beyond.”
For more details on the Interreg Experience Project, please see the Visit Kent website.
Posted on 25 July 2019