Dover Castle top attraction of tourism campaign

Dover Castle has become one of the top attractions in a county tourism campaign.

The iconic fortress is in the favourite 13 downloads for the Visit Kent and Southeastern campaign which offers two for one voucher downloads for people going by train to destinations in the county.

The website promoting the deal has had 24,000 hits during its eight week run and 3,000 vouchers have been downloaded. Eager daytrippers are expected to see voucher numbers soar as the offer continues until next March.

The castle is the fourth most downloaded destination. Dealo castle is also close to the top of the table coming in twelfth.

Kevin Lynes, Kent County Council's Cabinet Member for Regeneration, said: "The campaign has helped support tourism in the county during a very difficult financial climate and has created awareness of the abundance of activities and attractions that Kent has to offer.

"Visitors are reminded just how close to London we are and how convenient it is to travel to the county, especially by train."

Visit Kent Ltd Chief Executive Sandra Matthews-Marsh says the campaign's success has surpassed expectations. She said: "The success of this campaign has already surpassed our expectations. The credit crunch appears to have had a positive impact, encouraging day trips and short breaks to Kent this summer.

"However the success is largely due to the increased awareness generated by the extensive marketing plan that has supported the campaign. It's one thing to have a great offer like the 2FOR1 campaign, but it only works if you can find a way to tell people - and we have."

The 2FOR1 campaign is running at more than 70 attractions, destinations, hotels and restaurants across Kent, with many taking part until March 2010.

Visitors need to present a valid Southeastern rail ticket from London, along with a voucher downloaded from www.visitkentbytrain.co.uk or from a Visit Kent 2FOR1 brochure, found in mainline train stations across London.

Vince Lucas, Managing Director at Southeastern, said: "We are delighted with the campaign results so far and we're anticipating at least 5,000 vouchers to be redeemed before the end of the promotion."

Top destinations are:

Leeds Castle
Howletts and Port Lympne
Dover Castle
Hever Castle
Canterbury Cathedral
Canterbury Tales
Rochester Castle
Roman Museum at Canterbury
Kent and East Sussex Railway,
St Augustine's Abbey, Canterbury
Dickens World
Deal Castle
The Historic Dockyard.

Source: This is Kent