Visitor numbers fell by half during the first pandemic year and tourism revenue went down by nearly two-thirds.

The tourism group Visit Kent has produced figures to show the exact economic effects in Dover district during 2020 with its long lockdown periods.

Its Economic Impact Model for 2020 shows a 55.4% drop in overnight trips to the area compared to 2019, from 424.,000 to 189,000.

Day trips fell by 44.1%, exactly 4,265,000 in 2019 and 2,383,000 in 2020.

There was also a 62.9% decline in income.

A total £7 million was spent on average in the local economy each month in 2020, as a direct result of the region’s tourism and hospitality industry, compared to £20 million on average in 2019.

The number of tourism jobs across the district fell by 43.7% between 2019 and 2020, to 3,419.

Overall Kent’s tourism and hospitality sector was worth £4.1 billion to the local economy pre-pandemic.

Cllr Trevor Bartlett, leader of Dover District Council said: “We do understand how difficult the pandemic has been for everyone. However, as we get ready for the year ahead, we’re preparing to build on the successes of the district, and working with our partners to welcome visitors back.

“We were delighted to welcome The Open back in Sandwich in 2021 and celebrate news that White Cliffs Country received international acclaim,".

Kent’s Heritage Coast was fourth on a list of the world’s best regions to visit in the global travel authority Lonely Planet’s Best in Travel guide for 2022.

He added that the council was looking forward to 2022 with the cruise market returning and projects such as a new interactive maps for food and drink.

Deirdre Wells, Visit Kent chief executive, said: “After a strong performance in 2019, our sector’s bold plans for 2020 were utterly disrupted by the Covid-19 crisis.

"This latest research is a stark demonstration of the direct impact on White Cliffs Country’s brilliant tourism, leisure, and hospitality sector, which is one of the district’s biggest employers, and the life and soul of our high streets.

"The findings from 2020’s Economic Impact Study demonstrate exactly why our industry continues to need long-term support from central Government, to enable a sustainable recovery."

Ms Wells thanked residents for continuing the support local businesses during the pandemic for example by taking part in the Eat Out to Help Out scheme.

This Government initiative, during summer 2020, was to encourage people to have meals in restaurants, cafés and pubs again, once the first lockdown ended, to aid the economy.

Ms Wells continued: “Our partners in White Cliffs Country, and across the county, have been working extremely hard over the last 18 months to welcome visitors back safely and to continue providing a first-class experience."

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