Welcome to the May edition of Tourism Matters. It’s hard to believe how quickly the year is moving, with another bank holiday and the school half-term already appearing on the horizon.
In this issue, we’re launching our free Accessibility Ambassador Training, sharing important updates on our Visitor Survey Workshops, and celebrating a fantastic wave of local award successes. Plus, Ramsgate will host the historic Dunkirk ‘Little Ships’ between Friday 22 and Monday 25 May, with a series of commemorative events.
Tourism and Visitor Services News
A Message of Thanks and Farewell from Julie
“As many of you know, I shall be retiring on Friday 29 May after almost 35 years promoting our wonderful Isle of Thanet. Before I head off, I wanted to take a moment to say a sincere thank you.
“Working in tourism has been incredibly fulfilling; it’s a unique sector where we get to support brilliant local businesses and help visitors create lifelong memories. However, it’s the people who truly make this job special. Our local industry is powered by dedicated, amazing colleagues, and it has been a privilege to work alongside you for so long.
“Thank you and I wish you all the very best for the future.” Julie Edwards, Senior Tourism Officer
New Accessibility Ambassador Training Now Live!
We are thrilled to launch our brand-new Accessibility Ambassador Training, designed to help make the Isle of Thanet a truly inclusive destination for everyone.
This is a flexible, one-hour online course that provides a practical introduction to accessibility and inclusivity. It’s free to access, funded by the UK Shared Prosperity Fund, and can be completed in short bursts to suit your schedule. Once finished, you’ll receive an official certificate and badge to show your commitment to accessible tourism.
We encourage everyone to complete this alongside our existing Visitor Ambassador training to ensure we’re giving the warmest possible welcome to all. Start your training today at thanetvisitorambassador.co.uk
This England magazine press visit – the coverage is out!!
In March this year we hosted journalist Russell Higham for a feature on Margate in This England magazine. The feature ‘Margate, Britain’s Most Creative Seaside Town’ spans four pages.
We’d like to thank the venues who helped to host this visit, including The Walpole Bay Hotel, Shell Grotto, Margate Caves, The Wonderworks, the Pearly Cow at No. 42 by GuestHouse Hotels, and Quex House and Gardens, Home to the Powell-Cotton Museum.
A bonus in this issue is that Margate, Broadstairs and Ramsgate are featured in ‘The Top Places to Visit Around the Lower East Coast’.
This England is a quarterly magazine focused on English heritage, scenery, history and people.
Visitor Survey Workshops – Off Season Planning
Due to exceptional circumstances, our Visitor Survey workshops have been postponed until September.
We’ve rescheduled the sessions to ensure we can fully support your business ahead of the off-peak season. We’ll share the latest visitor research and practical tips to help you maximise engagement during the autumn and winter months.
The workshops run from 10.30am to 1pm, as follows:
- Thursday 17 September: San Clu Hotel, Ramsgate
- Tuesday 22 September: Pierremont Hall, Broadstairs
- Wednesday 23 September: Droit House, Margate
To book your place, please email tourism@thanet.gov.uk
Kent Coast Campaign
Visit Kent has officially launched its latest campaign, ‘The Kent Coast – more than you’ve heard’. The campaign aims to challenge some of the negative headlines the county has seen and highlight the thriving arts scene, talented independent makers, and experiences available.
The campaign has been funded by the South East Local Enterprise Partnership (SELEP), with activity set to run from now until early autumn, aimed at several key audiences:
- Millennials and young couples looking for authentic experiences.
- Families seeking coastal adventures.
- Empty-nesters exploring our historic harbour towns.
- European neighbours making the short hop across the Channel.
A suite of photography and video content has been produced, filmed across every coastal district, through the seasons. You can view the new campaign page on the Visit Kent website or watch the two-minute hero film on YouTube. You can use the official hashtag #MoreThanYouveHeard in your social media posts to help collectively show what the Kent coast is about.
Visitor Information Services opening hours
The Thanet Visitor Information Centres and kiosks are open throughout May and June for anyone that needs local advice or information:
- Margate (Droit House): Tuesday to Sunday, 10am to 5pm. Open daily during half term (Saturday 23 to Sunday 31 May).
- Broadstairs (Promenade Kiosk): Open daily, 10am to 4pm (weather permitting).
- Ramsgate (The Custom House): Tuesday to Sunday, 10am to 4pm.
Half Term Events Page
To help you and your visitors navigate the upcoming school holidays, we’ve created a dedicated events webpage
If you have an event planned that isn’t listed yet, please email visitorinformation@thanet.gov.uk. Be sure to include the date, name, location, cost and description of your event, with contact details and an image.
Thanet District Council
Blue Flag and Seaside Awards
We’re thrilled to share the news that today, Keep Britain Tidy announced the Blue Flag and Seaside Awards for 2026: Thanet’s beaches have been awarded four Blue Flags and twelve Seaside Awards.
Blue Flags and combined Seaside Awards: Minnis Bay Birchington, Botany Bay and Joss Bay Broadstairs and Ramsgate Main Sands.
Seaside Award: West Bay and St. Mildred’s Bay Westgate-on-Sea, Westbrook Bay, Margate Main Sands and Walpole Bay Margate, Stone Bay, Viking Bay and Louisa Bay Broadstairs
These accolades aren’t just for show; they’re a massive win for your businesses. Highlighting our clean, safe waters helps us stand out from other local councils and draw visitors from all over. Read the full announcement in the Newsroom.
Winter Gardens update
We’re delighted that an ‘agreement for lease’ has now been signed between Thanet District Council and Westwood One Theatre. This is another significant milestone for the regeneration of the iconic Margate Winter Gardens as a premier entertainment space and formalises the contractual relationship with our confirmed partner, Westwood One Theatre. Read more in the Newsroom.
Making moves for Margate!
Plans for Margate’s new £1.1 million flagship skatepark are picking up pace. Following recent public engagement, we’re reviewing feedback and naming suggestions for the site at Ethelbert Crescent.
The specialist contractors, Betongpark, are now refining the designs to ensure the park is a world-class draw for both visitors and locals. With new seating, toilets and a kiosk planned, it’ll be a fantastic community hub. We’re aiming to start on-site this summer, with plans for the skatepark to open in 2027. Read more in the Newsroom.
B’inspired: Thanet’s recycling bins get an imaginative makeover
We’re giving our local recycling bins a splash of colour to help keep our coast beautiful. Through our new ‘B’inspired’ project, 25 talented artists are turning ordinary bin housings into unique pieces of street art.
We want these bins to be impossible to miss so it’s easier for everyone to recycle. You’ll find the first artworks along the seafront between Dreamland and the Parade, Westbrook Bay and Minnis Bay, with more coming soon. It is a wonderful way to showcase our local creative talent while nudging our visitors to dispose of their litter responsibly. Head to the Newsroom to take a look at the first completed artworks.
Other News
Beautiful South Tourism Award Nominations Open
Nominations for the 2026 ‘Beautiful South Awards’ are now open. This is a fantastic platform to gain recognition for your hard work, with categories ranging from food and drink to accommodation and ‘unsung heroes’. Winners may even go on to represent our region at the 2027 VisitEngland Awards for Excellence.
For further information, the full list of categories and how to enter, head to www.beautifulsouthawards.co.uk Entries close at midnight on Friday 26 June.
Taste of Kent Awards 2026
Celebrating their 20th anniversary, the Taste of Kent Awards highlight the best producers, retailers, and hospitality businesses in the county. With 24 categories, there’s a spot for everyone from brewers to sustainable businesses.
Deadline for entry Wednesday 17 June. Full details and categories can be found at https://tasteofkentawards.co.uk/
Muddy Stilettos Award Finalists – vote now
Huge congratulations to the many Thanet businesses named as regional finalists in the Kent Muddy Stilettos Awards.
- Afternoon Tea – Buoy and Oyster, Margate
- Art, Culture, Theatre – Dreamland, Margate
- Bar – Delilah’s Bar Broadstairs, Pom Margate, Rooftop Bar at No. 42 Guesthouse Margate and Clockworks Cocktail Company Margate
- Boutique Stay – The George and Heart House Margate
- Café – Even Flow Ramsgate and The Greedy Cow, Margate
- Casual Dining – The Jetty, Broadstairs
- Restaurant – 15 Square Metres Broadstairs and Pomus Margate
- Fashion and Interiors – Positive Retail Margate
- Hair Salon – We are Salon, Ramsgate
- Children’s business – Kinder Collective Broadstairs
Please cast your vote before 1pm on Tuesday 26 May to support our local stars: https://kent.muddystilettos.co.uk/awards/vote/
Your News
Chapel House Estate
A massive congratulations to Chapel House Estate on achieving Certified B Corporation™ status. They are the first wedding and events venue in Thanet to receive this recognition, which marks their commitment to high social and environmental standards.
Kent and Medway Food and Drink Awards 2026
Congratulations to Cliftonville Farmers Market, which was recently crowned ‘Farmers Market of the Year’. A well-deserved win for a local staple.
Volunteers wanted – Ramsgate Town Council Event
The Silent Return, We Are Shadows procession is a respectful, non-verbal act of remembrance marking the return of soldiers to Ramsgate during Operation Dynamo in 1940. Participants will take part as “Shadows’, forming part of a silent procession at Ramsgate Royal Harbour, Harbour Parade, that reflects the experiences of the people that arrived here after Dunkirk.
No acting experience is required, only a willingness to take part in a calm, respectful and reflective activity.
Important: Young people aged 13–16 must be accompanied and supervised by a parent or responsible adult at all times during the event.
The event dates are Saturday 23 and Sunday 24 May 2026, from 8.30pm to 9.30pm (option to stay on to watch the Dynamo: Spirit of Ramsgate projection at the Tunnels until 9.50pm).
Participants will be asked to:
- wear dark/black clothing
- remain silent throughout the procession
- move slowly as part of a guided group being led by the Queen’s Regiment Corps of Drums with their illuminated batons
If you would like to take part, please complete this registration form
Further information will be shared with all registered participants in advance of the event.
2026 Museums + Heritage Awards
Congratulations to Turner Contemporary that was awarded Highly Commended in the Museums + Heritage Awards category ‘Learning Programme of the Year’ for An Apple a Day’
