Our targeted marketing and PR campaigns promote Margate, Broadstairs and Ramsgate, our coastal and inland villages, and our many new and longstanding attractions.
About us
In this section
Museums
The Isle of Thanet’s rich history is collected, conserved and displayed through Thanet District Council’s three museums.
Visitor information service
This is much more than just a desk for maps; we are a dedicated service that welcomes, inspires, informs visitors, and drives revenue directly to your business.
Meet the team
Marketing and Visitor Information Service specialists in the Thanet Tourism team work together to increase the number of day and short-break visitors keen to explore our area.
Growing the Visitor Economy
The Tourism and Culture Team is part of Thanet District Council’s wider Regeneration and Growth Service, and Place Directorate. We work with local tourism businesses to build the Thanet visitor economy and grow its businesses and the many jobs they support by:
Increasing the number of longer staying and overnight visitors to Thanet
Extending the season – promoting our many attractions beyond sunshine and sands
Ensuring our guests receive the warm welcome and enjoyable visitor experience they are eager to share with family and friends
Councillor Kristian Bright, the Cabinet Member for Tourism and Culture, and Parking said:
“Thanet is brilliant. With its unique mix of distinctive towns and villages, and 19 miles of sandy beaches, it’s long been a favourite destination for UK holiday makers.”
“Our Isle’s reputation goes from strength to strength, as families and people of all ages from the UK, Europe and from across the globe choose to visit us. Our fabulous restaurants, exciting shops, buzzing pubs and hotels, and cutting edge cultural hotspots mean that Thanet’s tourism industry is thriving.”
“Thanet’s award-winning Tourism and Culture team is committed to building on the success we’ve seen so far by attracting diverse new businesses that cater for everyone’s tastes. With so much to offer, it’s easy to see why millions of people visit Thanet every year, and return time and again. With more positive developments on the horizon, underpinned by our Destination Management Framework, the long term outlook for tourism in Thanet has never been more exciting.”
We touch on all parts of the visitor journey:
Inspiring
In this initial stage, seeing our targeted marketing campaigns can inspire potential visitors. Checking review sites, press articles, social media and word of mouth can all inspire visitors to Thanet too.
Planning
While people are researching deeper into the area and potential activities. The Visit Thanet consumer website is the official source of visitor information. AI is becoming increasingly more important as a tool when planning breaks away. Our content is fully AI optimised to ensure our destination information is as up-to-date and accurate as possible.
Booking
Once a visitor has booked, our digital channels and Visitor Information Service ensure they make the most of their time in Thanet by offering a full spectrum of things to see and do, from bookable experiences and activities to diverse food, drink, and nightlife venues.
Experiencing
The visitor experience begins with a crucial first impression. We ensure a warm welcome that extends beyond customer service and the quality of places and activities, embracing broader principles of accessibility and sustainability. Key elements like our Visitor Ambassador Programme and Visitor Map help us deliver this positive first impression.
Sharing
The journey doesn’t end once visitors are back home! We can keep communicating via our digital e-news and social media to entice a repeat visit and collect feedback. Hopefully, visitors will tell their family and friends about Thanet, and the journey starts again
Our most recent volume and value figures show the significant impact of tourism on the local economy annually.
The tourism and culture offer is not just for visitors, it is here for residents to enjoy as well, it helps to create a vibrant place to live and work, which then brings in the visiting friends and relatives market (VFR).
£
349million
4.6
million visitors
8257
jobs supported by tourism
(Cambridge Model Economic Impact Study 2023)
Being a coastal destination we are perceived as being seasonal, which is why it is vital we support our economy by encouraging visits out of the main summer season.
Achieving this will help the sustainability of our local businesses, meaning they can invest in their business and their people for future prosperity. Whilst there are signs that this is improving, we remain vulnerable to seasonality.
We are the voice within the Council for Tourism & Culture
We work closely with other council departments responsible for all services that affect the visitor experience including coastal development, events, parking, communications, the Thanet Coast Project and the Port of Ramsgate.
We are dedicated to supporting our local tourism businesses and building a strong, sustainable visitor economy. Our goal is simple: to make Thanet a must-visit daytrip and short break destination. We aim to ensure visitors love their time here and leave already planning to return! But we can’t do this alone. To achieve this we work collaboratively with the many local tourism, leisure, and hospitality businesses that entertain and support our guests.
Hire one of our meeting room
A comfortable, quiet space for your team to connect and collaborate. Book by the hour, half-day, or full day to suit your schedule.
”"I’ve worked closely with the Thanet Tourism Team for many years. From their long-standing involvement in Active Ramsgate to the recent Kent Creative Isle campaign. Their guidance on delivering the 2025 Return of the Dunkirk Little Ships programme was invaluable. They offer advice, ideas and reassurance, drawing on decades of experience. What they achieve with a small team is truly impressive; Thanet is very lucky to have them."
Rebekah Smith, Town Centre and Tourism Manager, Ramsgate Town Council
