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NEWS
5th April 2007
BRITISH TOURISM WEEK HAILED A SUCCESS
The first British Tourism Week, 12-18 March 2007, organised by VisitBritain, UKinbound and Reed Travel Exhibitions, has been an overwhelming success, generating a positive response across all sectors of the tourism industry and raising the profile of the £85 billion tourism industry.
The week included over 50 inter-related events, across the country, demonstrating how tourism is crucial to the economy of the United Kingdom . HRH Prince of Wales, Patron of British Tourism Week, launched the week on Monday 12 March at the Tower of London at a reception attended by the Secretary of State, the Rt. Hon. Tessa Jowell MP and 200 industry leaders.
From L-R: Michael Hirst OBE FTS, Julian Burrell OBE FTS and David Curtis-Brignell FTS meet HRH The Prince of Wales at the launch of British Tourism Week at the Tower of London on 12th March 2007.
L-R: Charles Thornton MTS (Chair of Tourism Society Cumbria), David Curtis-Brignell FTS (Tourism Society Chairman), Lord Thurso MP FTS (Tourism Society President), Flo Powell MTS (Executive Director of the Tourism Society), Ken Robinson CBE FTS (Chair of the Tourism Society Think Tank) and Linda Astbury MTS (Tourism Society Board member) at the launch of British Tourism Week at the Tower of London on 12th March 2007.
In addition, nearly 300 national politicians showed their commitment to tourism in Britain , by taking part in events during the week and visiting tourism businesses in their constituencies. Westminster MPs were photographed signing an "I'm backing British Tourism Week" pledge card in Parliament, and more than 60 MPs signed an Early Day Motion in the House of Commons recognising the value of tourism and congratulating the organisers of British Tourism Week. An exhibition of photography submitted by MPs and AMs (Members of the National Assembly for Wales ) was also held at the Britain and London Visitor Centre.
David Maclean MP (middle) visits Penrith TIC in Cumbria. Far left: Charles Thornton MTS, Chair of Tourism Society Cumbria.
British Travel Trade Fair, officially opened by the Secretary of State, the Rt. Hon.Tessa Jowell MP on Tuesday 13 March, was one of three signature events of British Tourism Week together with the UKinbound Convention and Workshop and the Tourism Alliance Parliamentary Reception. The British Travel Industry had the chance to meet 2,400 domestic and overseas tour operators, group travel organisers and travel agents and benefit from an estimated £30 million worth of business.
The Annual Tourism Society Tourism Question Time event on 13th March was a great success with debate sparked by panelists and questions from the floor. L-R: Tom Wright FTS (CEO of VisitBritain), Alan Clark (CEO of the Northern Ireland Tourist Board), Paul O'Toole (CEO of Tourism Ireland), Julian Burrell OBE FTS (Chairman of the Wales Tourism Alliance), Ann Milton MP (Shadow Minister for Tourism), Richard Younger-Ross MP (Liberal Democrat Spokesman for Tourism) and Chairman of the event, Bernard Donoghue MTS (Head of Government & Public Affairs for VisitBritain).
Maris Kuklis MTS (Tourism Society Membership & Events Executive) standing in front of the Tourism Society stand at British Travel Trade Fair.
Stephen Dowd, British Tourism Week Chairman said:
"The widespread political and regional support British Tourism Week received and the involvement of HRH the Prince of Wales ensured Britain could be reminded of the critical importance of tourism to the UK economy. I am delighted that the time given to events and activities by all involved means that as an industry we have been able to drive home this message. We exceeded expectations for this inaugural week and due to its success I am delighted that the next British Tourism Week will be held in Spring 2008 as we prepare to take the torch from Beijng for the cultural Olympiad."
A full calendar of events held can be viewed on www.britishtourismweek.com and a formal announcement of dates for British Tourism Week 2008 is anticipated in May.
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Contact: Sian Brenchley, Press Officer, VisitBritain: 020 8563 3220, 07971 497047
Elliott Frisby, PR Manager, VisitBritain: 020 8563 3035, 07951 996241
Notes to Editors
• British Tourism Week (12-18 March 2007) has been established to demonstrate the critical value of tourism to the economy of the United Kingdom . Through a week of events throughout the UK it will:
- Increase awareness of the success and importance of the tourism industry
- Raise quality standards
- Promote training and professionalism
- Improve competitiveness of the UK tourism industry
- Support the preparations for hosting the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games
The Association of British Travel Agents, the Scottish Tourism Forum, the Tourism Alliance, the Tourism Society, UKinbound, VisitBritain, Visit London, VisitScotland, Visit Wales, Wales Tourism Alliance and the regions of England are supporting British Tourism Week.
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