European Funding
Interreg IVA 2 Mers Seas Zeeën Cross-border Cooperation Programme 2007-2013
Interreg is a European funding initiative founded in 1989 with the aim of supporting cross-border, transnational and inter-regional co-operation between different European Member States. The Interreg programmes have been and will continue to be a key vehicle for local authorities and organisations to work with EU partners on projects of common interest.
Visit Kent has participated in various Interreg programmes since 1991 including the Franco-British Interreg IIIa Programme from 2000 until 2006. Visit Kent is also part of the eligible area for several new Interreg IV programmes for the period 2007-2013.
Current programmes
Visit Kent is currently undertaking several different Interreg projects under the new Interreg IVA managed by the region of Nord-Pas de Calais, which covers the eligible areas of England, Netherlands, Flanders and the French region of Nord-Pas de Calais.
With the arrival of the Olympic and Paralympic Games, Kent, along with the other countries in the 2-Seas region, will play crucial roles in supporting the tourism destinations.
Visit Kent is currently involved, along with our partners in France and the Netherlands, in three programmes to develop and boost the tourism industry here and overseas.
Through cooperating with partners overseas, Visit Kent seeks to not only boost the tourism industry in Kent, but ensure that visitors enjoy and benefit from their visit in order to encourage repeat visits in the Cross Channel area.
SusTRIP (Sustainable Tourism Research Intelligence Partnership)
The programme focuses on sustainable tourism research and intelligence partnerships, guiding destination marketing and industry performance higher. Within this programme, there are three smaller projects that will ultimately reach these targets.
'Sustainable Tourism' focuses on analyses and investigates the needs of incoming visitors and host communities, and how perceptions of ‘value for money’ can identify more potential customers.
'Supporting Tourism' maintains current tourism by creating business barometers and economic impact models, as well as studying eco-friendly accommodation and other products and developments.
'Knowledge Platform' provides a long-term research support to partners beyond the programme and allows communication and dissemination of information across the borders.
Read more information about SusTRIP.
CAST (Coastal Actions for Sustainable Tourism)
With the growing warnings of climate change and a need to protect our coastlines, this programme provides new and innovative programmes to influence future development of our coast. It aims to change the perceptions of the coast by enforcing a stronger image and collectively, with the help of local residents, young people and businesses. E-marketing campaigns, a water-sport and activity website, a coastal activities’ weekend and branded coastal maps are just some of the schemes in action;
Read more information about CAST.
Greet the World
Visit Kent’s final programme with partners is Greet the World, a marketing programme which provides a warm, welcoming and memorable destination. The programme hopes to prepare the cross-channel regions to ‘greet the world’ in welcoming visitors for the Olympic and Paralympic Games in 2012, alongside many other cultural and sporting events taking place. Another target is to engage local residents and tourism professionals with a better understanding of their area, developing the destination and providing an ability to welcome international visitors. The three main projects for achieving this are:
- Come and Play - Developing video & photo databases, exhibitions, sport and cultural event campaigns
- Nice to Meet You - Creating Olympic Greeters, hospitality guides and providing training experiences for local businesses to ensure their customer service skills and welcome are perfect
- Come Again - Continuing to improve customer loyalty and investigate overall perceptions of visits and build on return visit campaigns.