Imagine stepping off a train in Kent from Paris, Brussels or Amsterdam and arriving in Canterbury within 20 minutes – exploring cobbled streets, visiting world-famous heritage sites, or heading straight to a business meeting in one of the district’s growing innovation hubs.
Restoring international rail services to Kent isn’t just about nostalgia for the Eurostar of old – it’s about unlocking the next wave of investment, tourism, and opportunity for Canterbury District. With the Choose Canterbury inward investment programme already putting the area on the map, better connectivity could be the catalyst that transforms ambition into measurable economic growth.
The current challenge: an unnecessary detour
Right now, international visitors face a frustrating travel loop. Trains from Europe no longer stop in Kent – meaning passengers arriving from Paris, Brussels or Amsterdam must first continue all the way to London St Pancras International, only to double back out on a domestic service to reach Canterbury, Whitstable or Herne Bay.
This extra leg adds up to two additional hours of travel, increased cost, and unnecessary carbon emissions – deterring many international visitors and businesses from including East Kent in their itineraries. For leisure tourists, that’s often enough to turn a potential day trip or weekend stay into a missed opportunity. For investors and conference organisers, it’s a clear barrier to choosing Canterbury as a base.
Reinstating Kent stops would fix this inefficiency overnight, restoring Canterbury’s position as the natural European gateway to the South East.
“International rail links would quite literally put Canterbury firmly back on the European map,” says Canterbury City Council’s Joint Chief Executive Peter Davies. “For investors, visitors and businesses, the ability to travel directly and quickly to Kent from Paris, Brussels or other parts of western Europe is a powerful statement. It signals that Canterbury isn’t just a historic destination – it’s also an international gateway, fully prepared to embrace the world stage and really showcase what the district has to offer.”
Faster, greener travel makes Canterbury a bigger player
Canterbury’s location between London and continental Europe has always been one of its strongest cards. Direct international rail connections would turn that geographic advantage into a practical one: faster, low-carbon links for businesses, investors, tourists and talent.
For companies choosing where to locate – especially in sectors like research, creative industries, education, and professional services – quick access to European cities is a serious competitive edge. Improved connectivity would strengthen Canterbury’s pitch as a base for international firms looking for a well-connected, high-quality environment.
Unlocking hotel investment and new development
Canterbury already attracts millions of visitors each year, but limited hotel capacity and transport links can hold back growth. Restored international rail services would create a clear, bankable case for new hotels, conference facilities and town-centre development.
Through Choose Canterbury, the Council is already preparing a pipeline of hotel and mixed-use investment opportunities. Pairing these with new rail links makes the investment case far stronger — turning planning proposals into real projects more quickly.
A visitor economy ready to take the top spot in Kent
The district already performs strongly, and the potential for growth is huge:
- In 2023, Canterbury District welcomed 8.1 million visitors, a 13% rise on 2021 and 4% above 2019 levels.
- Tourism generated £520 million in revenue, a 57% increase from 2021.
- Day-trip spending alone reached £269 million, up nearly 50% in two years.
- The visitor economy supports over 10,200 local jobs — around 15% of total employment in the district.
(Source: Canterbury City Council / Visit Kent Economic Impact of Tourism 2023)
Even a modest uplift from renewed international arrivals, whether high-spending weekend visitors, group tours or business delegates, could push Canterbury beyond these record figures and secure its place as Kent’s most visited district.
Jobs, skills and business growth
Better international links would strengthen more than tourism. Easier travel encourages conferences, new businesses, university partnerships, and overseas students. That means more year-round spending, more hotel nights, and more opportunities for local residents.
With around 10,000 people already employed in the visitor sector, expanded connectivity could add hundreds of new roles – from hospitality and culture to logistics, events and professional services — supporting a resilient and diverse local economy.
A sustainable, strategic moment
Sustainability is now central to investment decisions. High-speed rail is one of the lowest-carbon ways to travel internationally, giving Canterbury a strong green story to tell investors.
Reopening Kent’s international stops would cut unnecessary journeys into central London, significantly lowering emissions and congestion. With new operators being encouraged into the cross-Channel market, the timing has never been better to reconnect Canterbury to Europe sustainably.
Seizing the moment with Choose Canterbury
For inward investors, the message is clear: Canterbury has the heritage, the visitor offer, the ambition and, with rail restored, the connectivity to match.
The Choose Canterbury programme is perfectly positioned to make the case by:
- Packaging transport upgrades into investment propositions
- Showcasing a ready pipeline of hotel and town-centre development sites
- Promoting strong university and business partnerships
- Highlighting Canterbury’s sustainability and cultural credentials
Connectivity that drives growth
Reinstating international rail to Kent is a once-in-a-generation opportunity. For Canterbury, it would mean more visitors, more investment, more jobs, and a stronger, greener economy.
With smart planning and strong partnerships, this could be the step that takes Canterbury from a historic jewel to a thriving international destination — and Kent’s number one district for growth and tourism.