Join one of the biggest tourism debates of the year at the annual Tourism Symposium in Kent on 1st & 2nd June.

Press places are available for this major UK networking event and conference, organised by the Tourism Society and supported in 2015 by Visit Kent and local partners.

The Tourism Symposium brings together leading industry professionals, high profile speakers and the media to discuss key issues affecting the industry. This year there will be a fresh focus on how tourism will be affected by the outcome of the general election, and how much value Central Government truly places on the industry's impact on the UK economy.

This year's Symposium will focus on 'Connecting to the Future'. Confirmed speakers include former Government minister Steven Norris, Arts Council England Chairman Sir Peter Bazalgette, designer Wayne Hemingway MBE, co-founder of Mr & Mrs Smith James Lohan, CEO of VisitBritain Sally Balcombe, and David Testa from London Paramount.

For a full schedule, click here: http://www.tourismsociety.org/event-details/396/tourism-symposium-2015.htm

Press attendance at the Tourism Symposium includes:

• Optional free travel from London on the Symposium Express (leaving London St Pancras at 10.42am Mon 1st June)
• Optional attendance on one of three Kent fam trips
• Drinks reception and networking supper at 4* Eastwell Manor Hotel, Ashford
• Overnight accommodation
• Full access to the Symposium, held in Canterbury on Tues 2nd June
• Return travel to London on the Symposium Express from Ashford International (coach transfer provided)

The Symposium is being hosted by Visit Kent in partnership with Ashford Borough Council, and is arranged by The Tourism Society. It is supported by VisitBritain, UKInbound, Arts Council England, Southeastern and Ashford Borough Council. Additional support is being provided by Kent County Council, University of Kent, Eastwell Manor and a host of other national and Kent sponsors.

 Overnight press places are very limited for this event.

Day passes are also available.

To register your interest in attending, email sinead.hanna@visitkent.co.uk

For more information about Kent, please visit www.visitkent.co.uk

ENDS