News

Chris Kirkham, manager of the Discover Folkestone, Hythe & Romney Marsh (DFH&RM) tourism organisation, has received a Visit Kent Chairman's Award 'in recognition of support for tourism in Kent'.

A suggestion by Eurotunnel that the 2012 Olympic torch could enter England through the Channel Tunnel will be one of the items discussed at a Tourism summit arranged by Conservative Parliamentary Candidate Damian Collins.

Be prepared for a Big apple welcome to White Cliffs Country when Dover's own 'greeters' show you around this diverse area.

There is to be a new station on the Romney Hythe and Dymchurch Railway serving the popular Romney Warren visitor centre.

The official opening of the Romney Warren Halt will take place on Monday 16th February.

An inaugural train for invited guests will depart at 11.00 hauled by "The Bug".

It is the first opening of a new halt on the railway for over 60 years.

A limited number of free tickets for New Romney to Warren shuttle trains  will be available. Advance booking of these can be made by sending an email to Danny.Martin@rhdr.org with your home address, number of tickets required and the train time preferred from 12.00, 1.00, 2.00 and 3.00pm.

The plunging value of the pound abroad is making Britons think twice about heading across the English Channel for a break, and their love affair with buying French holiday homes is well and truly over, experts say.

The British currency has plunged by 20 per cent against the euro in recent months

The British invasion of some parts of France is well documented and for years buyers flush from booming property prices here have bought property in places like the Dordogne, turning some areas into virtual British enclaves.

But that has all changed. 'People are really nervous,' said Steve Gillham, estate agent for Alliance French Property Group, adding that his company had had virtually no sales since last October.

Tourism chiefs meanwhile are crossing their fingers that the 15 million Britons who stayed in France in 2008 will not cancel their holidays across the Channel this year.

Forecasts by the Foreign Office and the travel industry federation ABTA suggest that France and Spain will remain the biggest destinations for British travellers this year despite the unfavourable exchange rate.

But destinations outside the 16-nation eurozone, such as Turkey and Egypt, will likely see a surge in British holidaymakers this year as Britons seek cheap sun outside the pricey euro area.

While the weakened pound is hitting Britons' plans to travel abroad, the British tourist industry is hoping the country's relative cheapness will attract more foreign visitors - although figures so far do not reflect this.


 

The Alkham Court Farmhouse and the Gardeners Rest B&B were rewarded at an awards ceremony at the exclusive Wentworth Club in Surrey last week.

The two Bed and Breakfast providers were recognised in Tourism South East's prestigious Tourism ExSEllence Awards.

The winner, announced on Tuesday 28 October, was The Gardeners Rest B&B in Kingsdown, Deal and the Alkham Court Farmhouse B&B in Alkham was Highly Commended.

Dover District Cllr Frederick Scales, Cabinet Member for Economy and Special Projects said: “These prestigious awards recognise excellence, quality and innovation across all sectors of the tourism industry. Our congratulations go to everyone and we are delighted to see providers in White Cliffs Country acknowledged in this way for their great work.�

Work is well underway on the exciting new-look café-bar and a range of other improvements to Deal Pier.
 

An artist impression of the café-bar

This major project follows an architectural design competition, a public consultation and the selection of a winning design by a Jury Panel.

The design is by renowned architects Niall McLaughlin, featuring a pier-end café-bar with timber frames, edge walls made of glass, and a range of environmentally friendly features. Work is expected to be complete in September.

Cllr Nigel Collor, Dover District Council's Cabinet Member for Access and Property Management said: “We are very pleased that work is progressing well and we look forward to seeing the new café-bar open.

It is hoped the improvements will be a major boost for Deal seafront, the town and for the district.