THE Kent Tourism Alliance Awards for Excellence 2002 have been launched in conjunction with Hoverspeed. Designed to highlight the best of the tourism sector in Kent, the awards will focus on quality, customer service, innovation and marketing.

Entries are being sought from tourism companies in Kent during the next few months and the winners will be announced at a gala awards dinner to be held at Leeds Castle on October 4. Tourism related businesses both large and small, which play a key role in the county's economy, have been given the chance to enter the different awards sections.

These include various categories for best accommodation, best eating and drinking establishment, best tourism attraction, visitor information centre, most environmentally friendly tourism business and best tourism initiative.