Kent licensee aims to fly tourists to his pub

A Kent licensee has come up with a novel way to get more tourists in his pub - create his own holiday package.

John Freeman, owner of the Black Horse Inn, at Thurnham, near Maidstone, has teamed up with tour operator Walk Awhile to launch the Ancestral Adventure holiday package, which aims to convince North American tourists to discover more about their ancestral roots.

Many of Virginia's historic roots are to be found in Kent - from the inspiration for the Stars and Stripes in All Saints Church at Maidstone on the Washington memorial and Pocahontas, the Indian princess who married one of the first Jamestown colonists and is buried at Gravesend, through to families such as the Wyatts from Boxley, and the Culpeppers and Fairfaxes and their connections with Leeds Castle.

Mr Freeman said: "The Jamestown 2007 provides an exciting opportunity to help increase the existing steady flow of customers from North America. Wit transatlantic flights direct between Kent International Airport and Norfolk Virginia starting in Spring 2007 we're hoping that this innovative partnership will boost tourism in the area."