The Aspinall Foundation's wild animal parks – Howletts, near Canterbury and Port Lympne, near Ashford have been awarded a place in the coveted VAQAS scheme run by the tourist body VisitEngland.

Bob O'Connor, Managing Director of Howletts and Port Lympne Wild Animal Parks said: "I am delighted that we are now part of the VAQAS scheme.  We endeavour to provide a quality product with excellent customer service to our visitors and the scheme will help us to ensure that this continues."

The Visitor Attraction Quality Assurance Scheme (VAQAS) is managed by VisitEngland and through its network of regional assessors, boasts an incredible reputation for instigating, modifying and shaping change to the customer experience at visitor attractions across England.

James Berresford, Chief Executive of Visit England commented: "Both Howletts and Port Lympne offer a great day out to visitors, and I'm delighted to welcome them to the Visitor Attraction Quality Assurance Scheme.  Our assessors were particularly impressed with the passion demonstrated by the keepers, and the creative and engaging way in which both parks tell the story of their conservation efforts is an example to the rest of the industry."

Howletts and Port Lympne Wild Animal Parks work with the world leading conservation charity, The Aspinall Foundation.  Designed to be breeding sanctuaries for some of the most endangered animals on the planet, the parks offer the opportunity to witness real conservation in action. 

Bob added: "We aim to provide an enjoyable and exciting day out for the whole family at our parks, whilst fulfilling our conservation aims to protect endangered species on the brink of extinction. Both parks will be featuring a different theme every month helping to highlight various aspects of conservation and with the continuation of the popular Passport scheme – the one day ticket that lasts all year, visitors can return as often as they wish at no extra charge and there will always be something new to discover." 

Howletts is home to the UK's largest herd of African Elephants and has the largest group of western lowland gorillas in the world whilst Port Lympne is home to The African Experience safari – the original safari in the UK, where giraffe, black rhino, ostrich, zebra and more can be seen roaming free over 100 acres set against the backdrop of stunning views over the Kent coast to France. 

For further information regarding Howletts and Port Lympne Wild Animal Parks including opening times, entry fees and special events please visit: www.aspinallfoundation.org