EXPERIENCE is an Interreg V France (Channel) England Programme running until June 2023 and is all about experiential tourism. Kent is one of six pilot regions where sustainable experiences to attract visitors especially off season between October and March, are being developed. As well as supporting Kent to fulfil its off-season potential, EXPERIENCE will also help rebuild the tourism sector in Kent in the wake of the Covid-19 crisis.
Visit Kent and Kent Downs AONB (which DVLPS is a part of) are working together to deliver this exciting investment for Kent. They have respective budgets of €1.6 and €3.1 million and will spend this wisely to improve Kent for visitors and residents making Kent both a great place to live and a great place to visit.
What is ‘Experiential’ tourism?
EXPERIENCE will help Kent capitalise on the booming global trend for personalised and local tourism experiences. Traditionally, tourism across much of Kent is ‘destination’ based and focussed on promoting popular destinations during peak season. However, visitors increasingly seek personalised and authentic local tourism experiences. Experiences in which they can actively engage and feel a sense of connection to local foods, activities, history, arts and crafts. Experiential tourism immerses the visitor and takes them beyond simply seeing places and following run of the mill itineraries.
Projects that DVLPS is delivering as part of the Experience project are:
- Darent Valley Trails app
- Locally curated landscape trails
- Darent Valley guidebook
- Rail Trails
