Key pieces of research are invaluable when planning and forecasting.
The Cambridge Economic Impact Model
The Cambridge Economic Impact Model is an industry respected tool for measuring the economic impact of tourism in Dover District. Knowing the volume and value of tourism is an essential part of developing policies for managing tourism.
In 2021, Destination Research, commissioned by Dover District Council via Visit Kent, carried out the Cambridge Model Reports. These reports give the economic impact of tourism to and within Dover District and relate to the estimated value and volume of tourism to the area during a single year.
The most recent release of the industry-respected Economic Impact of Tourism for 2021, shows the value of economy in the Dover district increasing to £201 million, a 79% increase from 2020. While the tourism and hospitality picture remained challenging throughout the region in 2021, the findings showed that Dover district’s visitor economy performed above the national average across several areas.
When looking specifically at trip purpose, the proportion of those travelling to visit friends and relatives overnight in Dover, Deal and Sandwich during 2021 accounted for 33% of overnight trips. This demonstrates the incredible influence that ongoing support from the district’s residents – who acted as ambassadors for their region, welcoming friends and family to experience it first-hand – had on local businesses during a hugely difficult year.
Economic Impact of Tourism - year on year comparison
| Day Trips |
2019 |
2020 |
2021 |
Annual Variation |
| Day Trips Volume |
4,265,000 |
2,383,000 |
3,737,000 |
+56.8% |
| Day Trips Value |
£141,089,000 |
£53,559,000 |
£99,575,000 |
+85.9% |
| Overnight Trips |
|
|
|
|
| Number of Trips |
424,000 |
189,000 |
280,100 |
+48.2% |
| Number of Nights |
1,393,000 |
559,000 |
880,000 |
+57.4% |
| Trip Value |
£86,702,000 |
£32,849,000 |
£54,898,000 |
+67.1% |
| |
|
|
|
|
| Total Value |
£302,490,000 |
£112,176,000 |
£201,301,000 |
+79.4% |
| Actual Jobs |
6,071 |
3,419 |
4,522 |
+32.2% |
The next report (covering 2023) is expected towards the end of 2024.