Tourism Symposium showcases Kent

PUBLISHED: 15:08 11 July 2015 | UPDATED: 15:08 11 July 2015

Sarah Sturt

Sandra Matthews-Marsh, Wayne Hemingway and Tracey Crouch MP at the 2015 Social Tourism Symposium

Manu Palomeque 07977074797

Leading figures from the tourism industry gathered at Eastwell Manor to celebrate the start of the annual Tourism Symposium. It was the first time the event - organised by The Tourism Society and hosted (this year) by Visit Kent, Ashford Borough Council and the University of Kent – has been held in the county, and guests and speakers were invited to a gala networking supper to give them a taste of what the Garden of England has to offer. Market stalls were set up inside the Jacobean manor house featuring Kentish crisps, cheeses, ice-cream, juices and cobnut products. Drinks were provides by local wineries and brewers, including Chapel Down, Hush Heath, Biddenden, Shepherd Neame and The Old Dairy Brewery. One notable attendee was Kent MP and new Tourism Minister Tracey Crouch, who chose to give her first speech in her ministerial role to guests.