Investment helps Whitstable top growth list

Kent seaside town Whitstable has finished at the top of a list of seaside destinations enjoying the most growth.

A study by the Civil Service Motoring Association (CSMA) study offers an indication of the number of companies choosing to do business in Kent, as the report based its rankings on the increase of tourism-related firms, employees and visitor numbers, reported the Independent.

According to the newspaper, Whitstable recorded 13.9 per cent growth, with Eastbourne in East Sussex finishing close behind on 11 per cent.

A CSMA representative pointed out in a statement that there has been a significant change in the nature of seaside vacations in the UK, with many people opting for fine dining, art galleries and craft markets over more traditional activities.

The spokesperson said: "After the decline in popularity in the 1990s, the British seaside has been reinventing itself. Gone are the days of a donkey ride on the beach and a round of crazy golf."

Investment was picked out as a key reason for growth in the UK coastal tourism industry, with about £100 million of public money used on such places and British travellers expected to respond by spending £9 billion this summer.

Speaking to KentOnline, VisitKent's Ruth Wood revealed that her team are not at all surprised by the popularity of places like Whitstable, highlighting the excellent reputation the town has for food.

She also noted that over a third of its shops are independent retailers, which can also be a draw for tourists.

Source: Locate in Kent