Destination Medway on your doorstep

The second annual British Tourism Week was celebrated in style in Medway, where tourism plays a vital part in the local economy. In Medway, residents are fortunate in having a range of award-winning tourist attractions on their doorstep. From The Historic Dockyard and castles to the 21st century recreation of the past - Dickens' World, the newest attraction to the area.

Medway Tourism Association invited people and visitors from across Kent to drop in to a mini-expo at Medway Visitor Information Centre in Rochester High Street. Medway's leading attractions had representatives and information there. Competition prizes included an overnight stay at the new Ramada Encore hotel in Chatham Maritime, and free entry to the castles at Rochester and Upnor, Dickens World, the Historic Dockyard, Royal Engineers Museum, as well as a cruise on the Kingswear Castle paddle steamer.

Bill Ferris, Chairman of the Medway Tourism Association, said "This day was aimed at those local people who perhaps do not use their local tourist facilities and attractions and may not even have been to our wonderful Visitor Centre in Rochester. We have so much to be proud about in Medway."

Medway Council's Portfolio Holder for Strategic Development and Economic Growth Cllr Jane Chitty said: "Our tourism offer here in Medway is very strong. We have a fantastic variety of attractions and places to go. Tourism is also a very important part of the area's economy."

It was a great event that was attended by almost 1,700 people. Tourism contributes £265million to the local economy in Medway and employs 5,300 people locally.

People taking part included representatives from Buckmore Park with a sample kart promoting its new Arrive and Drive; The Historic Dockyard Chatham promoting its Steam and Transport event this Easter weekend; the Rochester Society giving free guided tours of the city; Rochester and Upnor Castle. Paddle Steamer Kingswear Castle, Dickens World and the Royal Engineers Museum.

There were 100 entrants to win two attraction passes and a night's stay at the Ramada Encore in Chatham Maritime to be won. That was won by Mrs Anna Grange from Gillingham.

The mini-expo was all about raising the profile of tourism in British Tourism Week. It's an important sector of the British economy.''