British Tourism Week support urged

UK tourism bosses are seeking to ‘galvanise’ domestic tourism businesses to support the second annual British Tourism Week which takes place next month.

This year British Tourism Week recognises that 80% of industry success comes from domestic visitors and that, with increasing competition from overseas destinations, it can do more to encourage Britons to holiday at home, according to the organisers.

MPs are being invited to visit tourism businesses in their constituencies, sign a pledge card in support of the week and enjoy a free guided tour of London.

Visitors can take advantage of a series of free walking tours in London and around the country and, in the lead up to the week, visit an exhibition of landscape photography, Britain on View.

With Easter occuring soon after British Tourism Week, consumers will be urged to get out and enjoy a wide variety of holiday experiences.

More than 60 different events are so far listed for the event between March 10-18, but organisers hope that every region and destination will organise something to help businesses or raise awareness of tourism experiences among consumers.

Public sector and commercial tourism businesses, accommodation providers and attractions, Tourist Information Centres and tour operators, regions and destinations, are being urged to organise or attend an event under the British Tourism Week banner.

Events aim to raise the profile of an £85 billion visitor economy and draw national awareness to its critical importance and the contribution it makes local economies and millions of livelihoods, according to the organisers.

The British Travel Trade Fair on March 11-12 remains one of the core events of the week.

Stephen Dowd, co-chairman of British Tourism Week’s multi-sector steering committee and chief executive of UKinbound, said: “Around 2.1 million people – nearly eight per cent of the workforce – in a wide range of sectors depend on tourism for their jobs and livelihoods.

“We are asking businesses to help us raise awareness of the tourism experiences that can be enjoyed in this country.

“We hope that if nothing else, MPs, the media, opinion-leaders and consumers will take time for a day visit or overnight stay during British Tourism Week.”

by Phil Davies

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