Kent County Council and Medway Council have launched a new service called Grow in Kent on 13 April 2026 to support tourism and business investment across the region. This initiative arrives to fill the gap left after the previous organisations, Visit Kent and Locate in Kent, entered into liquidation in September 2025.
The new service aims to bolster the visitor economy and inward investment, which together represent a value of more than £4.1 billion to the county. For local businesses in coastal towns like Folkestone, the move provides access to free marketing support and business advice through the renewed Visit Kent brand. This is expected to be a significant benefit for hospitality and tourism operators as they work to attract more visitors to the area.
The importance of this sector to the regional economy is substantial, with the visitor economy currently supporting 82,265 jobs in Kent, accounting for 11% of all employment. Data from 2024 highlights the potential for growth, showing that international trips to the county reached 1.3 million, generating over £374 million for the local economy. This represents an 11% increase in international visits and a 9% rise in revenue compared to 2023.
The new service draws upon the legacy of its predecessors. Over its 25 years of operation, the former Locate in Kent agency supported approximately 1,130 companies in setting up or expanding within the region, contributing to the creation or retention of more than 70,000 jobs. With this new, combined approach, local authorities intend to maintain that momentum and continue supporting both established local enterprises and new investment opportunities.
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