This is a significant loss to the county. Visit Kent was responsible for supporting and growing the sizeable tourism industry in Kent with a visitor economy worth £4 billion and representing 11 per cent of all jobs in Kent.
The Visit Kent board will meet later this week to discuss a way forward as the organisation, which promoted everything the county has to offer visitors, both nationally and internationally, ceases operating immediately.
KCC Cabinet Member for Economic Development and Coastal Regeneration Paul King said: “This is a sad day for Kent and will undoubtedly impact the profile and marketing reach of our great county as a tourist destination.
“The Garden of England is a national treasure, but it still has to stand out in a hugely competitive market for people’s time and money and Visit Kent has served as an important champion in that regard.
“Government reductions in funding to Visit England have had wide reaching repercussions, and investment Visit Kent as our Local Visitor Economy Partnership had anticipated from Government, has therefore regrettably not come forward. The visitor economy of Kent is likely to suffer, impacting hundreds of local businesses as a result.
“We will be writing to Government to seek support for the sector, but our immediate priority is to support the board as arrangements are made for next steps with staff and forthcoming activities. We continue to be incredibly proud of Kent’s offer to visitors, and are determined that we find a way forward, with partners, that this can continue to be recognised.”
