Visitbritain News
VisitBritain goes in search of Russian roubles
With new research revealing that two-thirds of Russians who saw the Olympic Games on their screens now want to visit the UK for their next holiday, a VisitBritain-led delegation of tourism businesses will be in Moscow and St Petersburg this week to showcase Britain and help secure a 75 per cent increase in Russian visitors by 2020.
VisitEngland launches latest stage of marketing campaign
VisitEngland has launched a new multi-channel marketing campaign designed to boost domestic tourism in 2013 by promoting short breaks in some of England’s most vibrant cultural cities. The two-week campaign is the second of six launching over the next three months, covering the four key themes of countryside, coast, heritage and culture, funded in part by the government’s Regional Growth Fund.
London 2012 improves image of Britain overseas
A new study commissioned by VisitBritain and its partners in the GREAT campaign suggests global perceptions of ‘Welcome’, Britain’s ‘Overall Nation Brand’ and the UK’s sporting and cultural credentials have significantly improved thanks to the hosting of the London 2012 Games. The Nations Brands Index research rates 50 of the world’s leading nations around six core categories.
British boom in Christmas holiday spending
As many as 12 million Brits plan to make the most of Christmas and New Year period by taking at least one overnight trip in the UK, with 9.8 million people planning to take that trip in England, according to VisitEngland’s latest Trip Tracker survey. This is likely to generate some £2.1billion in tourism spend for the UK economy, around £1.7billion of which will be spent in England.
VisitBritain welcomes China visa changes
VisitBritain has become the latest organisation to welcome enhancements made by the British government to make the visa applications from Chinese visitors as simple as possible. Home secretary Theresa May earlier confirmed a host of changes, including shorter, translated application forms, and reduced documentary requirements.
Religious tourism drives traffic to UK
Research released by VisitBritain reveals that in 2011, 6.7 million international tourists visited a religious building and those whose visit included this activity spent nearly £5 billion during their stay. Figures show that 22 per cent of the total visits to the UK last year visited a religious building with 35 per cent of that collective on holiday.
VisitBritain predicts 3% increase in visitors in 2013
Following recent statistics showing that one third of the new jobs created in Britain between 2009 and 2011 came from tourism, VisitBritain rolled out its 2012 annual review, outlining what it was able to achieve for tourism and the UK economy in 2012 and its plans for 2013 and beyond.
VisitBritain appoints Croft as director of marketing
VisitBritain has filled one of its most strategically important positions with the announcement that Joss Croft has been appointed as director of marketing. Croft is a significant appointment for the organisation as it looks to build on the global profile attained during 2012, with the London 2012 Games and the Diamond Jubilee thrusting Britain into the international spotlight.
VisitBritain seeks out Chinese market
Demonstrating the importance of the China market, a highly influential tourism delegation from the UK will visit Shanghai this week to create more business as a result of the renewed interest in Britain post London 2012 and Diamond Jubilee. As part of the trade mission and to create a tourism legacy which generates immediate income for the UK, the group will meet with leading Chinese travel agents with a series of one-on-one business appointments and key seminars.
VisitBritain teams with British Airways for new advertising push
Following on from the success of hosting the world’s largest and most watched sporting extravaganza, a new multi-million pound joint marketing push from British Airways and VisitBritain has been launched. Its aim is simple - to boost inbound visitors from a number of key markets vital to the UK economy.
VisitBritain partners Hostelworld.com for budget accommodation invitation
VisitBritain has appointed Hostelworld.com to support its £125 million “GREAT Britain, You’re Invited” programme. Targeted at independent and youth travellers, the joint campaign will promote Britain as a must-see destination and encourage travellers to explore the UK using a wide network of accommodation available on Hostelworld.com.
Football is big business for UK tourism
As the Barclays Premier League kicks off again this week after a high-profile international break, new figures released by national tourism agency VisitBritain show that nearly one million overseas visitors watched a game of football here last year. These 900,000 foreign football tourists spent a substantial £706 million, the equivalent of £785 per fan and £200 more than the average visitor.