 Great British Summer Savings - temporary VAT cut
UK family attractions, hospitality businesses and visitor economy operators are set to benefit from a temporary summer VAT reduction designed to lower the cost of family days out. The expectation is that this will be passed on to customers.
Chancellor Rachel Reeves announced that VAT will be cut from 20% to 5% from 25 June to 1 September on a range of eligible family-focused leisure, cultural and hospitality spending during the school summer holidays. Businesses will be responsible for deciding whether and how to pass the VAT saving on to customers.
For visitor attractions and hospitality venues, the VAT cut is an opportunity to encourage domestic visits during the peak family holiday period. The government also announced free bus travel for under-16s in England during August which may support access to local attractions, town centres, hospitality venues and family events during August, particularly for households without access to a car.
This temporary reduction in VAT is an opportunity for the UK tourism and hospitality sector to stimulate summer demand, highlighting affordability, encouraging domestic days out and strengthening family-focused offers.
Find out more.
 Kent Downs National Landscape Management Plan - help shape the countryside you love
Have your say on the future of the Kent Downs National Landscape as a public consultation opens on a draft five-year Management Plan.
The plan sets out how the Kent Downs — one of Kent’s most treasured landscapes and home to the North Downs Way National Trail — will be cared for, enhanced and enjoyed in the years ahead. It also plays a key role in shaping priorities for nature recovery, farming, climate action, access and tourism across the area.
The draft Management Plan follows an extensive public engagement phase, in which more than 1,200 people and organisations took part. They shared what they value about the landscape, what they think makes it special, and what matters most when it comes to its future care and enjoyment. This feedback has directly shaped the draft Plan now being consulted on.
Covering almost a quarter of Kent and stretching from the White Cliffs of Dover to the Surrey border, the Kent Downs is one of the south east’s most visited and valued landscapes. Residents, businesses, farmers and community groups are now being encouraged to take part in the consultation and help shape its future.
Find out more and have your say at Kent Downs website. Consultation closes Sunday 19 July 2026.
 Kent Invicta Chamber Business Awards 2026
Kent Invicta Chamber Business Awards shine a spotlight on the ambition, innovation and resilience of organisations across Kent and Medway and to give them the recognition they deserve. The awards are open to businesses across a variety of sector and are free to enter. Deadline for applications is Friday 11 September 2026. To find out more details and how to enter, visit Kent Invicta Chamber of Commerce website..
 Free website listing
As we ramp up for another busy season, please make sure that the listing we have for your business on our tourist information website is correct. Please email VIC@dover.gov.uk with any changes. If you are not listed, please fill in the form appropriate for your business and we'll do the rest.
PS It's completely free of charge!
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