
Gravesham’s tourism industry has demonstrated impressive recovery in 2023, with statistics showing a continued rebound post-pandemic, underscoring the resilience of the sector.
A study into the local tourism sector, its effect on the local economy has been released. Commissions by Local Visitor Economy Partnership (LVEP) Visit Kent, the study used the industry-respected Cambridge Economic Impact Model.
The report confirms that Gravesham’s tourism industry has shown strong signs of recovery, with 2.2 million people choosing to visit in 2023. This is a 49% growth versus trips in 2021, surpassing pre-pandemic levels,
Not only has Gravesham’s tourism industry rebounded in volume, but it has also in value, generating £122 million in revenue. This is 99% of 2019 levels and a 75% increase from 2021. With impressive figures, Gravesham's tourism sector is proving its role within the local economy.
Tourism also continues to boost local employment, supporting 2,643 jobs across Gravesham. This represents 8% of total employment within the borough. The tourism's industry is not ust a driver of economic recovery but as a key part of local employment.
Inbound tourism has surged significantly, with 42,000 overseas trips made in 2023, exceeding pre-pandemic levels by 8%. This growth reflects the continued appeal to international visitors and the successful efforts to rebuild global connectivity.
Day trips to Gravesham have also increased by 49% to 2019 levels with 2.1 million day trips. Day trip spending reached £65 million, a 73% increase compared to 202. This shows the popularity of domestic travel and its contribution to the visitor economy.
Cllr Deborah Croxton, cabinet member for Community and Leisure, said:
“These are incredible results for Gravesham and its mixture of independent traders, food and drink from venues such as Kent’s only indoor food hall, Hatch at the Borough Market, and experiential attractions such as our ever-popular Panic Rooms through to its rolling countryside and traditional villages.
“These figures give us huge encouragement to continue to expand our attractions and further grow our visitor economy.
“Recent efforts have included re-branding our visitor offer, developing a new web platform and launching an exciting new tourism campaign that raises awareness of Gravesham’s unique visitor offer across the south east.”
Visit Kent Chief Executive, Deirdre Wells OBE, commented: "This remarkable recovery in Kent's tourism sector highlights the resilience and adaptability of our industry. Reaching 99% of pre-pandemic visitor volumes, and generating £4.1 billion in revenue, demonstrates the vital role tourism plays in driving economic growth, supporting over 77,000 jobs, and showcasing Kent as a premier destination for visitors from near and far.
As we continue to celebrate Kent’s rebound and recovery, it's crucial to acknowledge the industry’s ongoing challenges, particularly with the current economic pressures and operational costs that our local businesses face daily. Through our newly launched Destination Management Plan, we’re committed to addressing these challenges head-on, supporting our partners, and advocating for policies that help sustain the industry. It is clear that, despite the strides we’ve made, there is more work ahead to ensure tourism in Kent continues to thrive and ultimately reaches its full potential.”
View the full Gravesham Economic Impact Study 2023 on Visit Kent website.
For more information about Gravesham, please visit our tourism website.