The Prince of Wales has given the royal seal of approval to next year's British Tourism Week. His involvement raises the profile of tourism in the British economy as London prepares to host the 2012 Olympic Games.
LONDON (eTN) - The Prince of Wales has agreed to be the royal patron of British Tourism Week next year. The Prince’s participation will raise the profile of the event which is scheduled for March 10 to 18, 2008.British Tourism Week ’08 marks the start of a year in which the British tourism industry’s priority is preparation for the 2012 Olympic Games in London. “His Royal Highness’ participation in British Tourism Week will help us raise even greater awareness of tourism experiences in this country,” said Stephen Dowd, chairman of British Tourism Week and director of UKinbound. “His interests in many of the quintessential elements that constitute Britain’s tourism brand make The Prince the perfect ambassador.”Events planned for the Week will raise international awareness of the size and importance of Britain’s visitor economy, valued at about Ј85 billion per year. It will highlight the contribution made by large and small businesses in the sector. VisitBritain’s travel trade fair, March 11 to 12 will be the centerpiece of British Tourism Week and other regional events will take place around Great Britain at the same time.“The Prince of Wales’ support is further evidence of the critical importance of tourism to the UK economy and of our royal heritage to the tourism industry,” said Tom Wright, VisitBritain chief executive. “His Royal highness has consistently supported our industry over many years and has been an influential ambassador at home and abroad.”British Tourism Week is a new creation. Its first edition this year included over 50 events across the country and attracted the attention of over 300 politicians who visited tourism enterprises in their constituencies. Members of Parliament signed a pledge card backing the events in Parliament and a motion recognizing the value of tourism in the national economy. An exhibition of photography by MPs and members of the Welsh Assembly was held at the Britain and London Visitor Centre.“Tourism’s importance to the UK’s economy can often be overlooked and our industry suffers when we fail to recognize that every business contributes to a greater whole,” said Dowd. “Together during British Tourism Week, we can change the perception that the different sectors, from transport and tour operators to accommodation providers, travel agencies and attractions, operate independently.”British Tourism Week is organized by VisitBritain and UKinbound with support from the Tourism Alliance, Tourism Society, ABTA and Britain’s national and regional tourist boards.VisitBritain was named the world’s leading tourist and convention bureau at the 2006 World Travel Awards, and promotes Britain as a world-class tourist destination. It is responsible fo developing the visitor economy of England with a network of representative offices in 36 countries. VisitBritain is funded by the Department for Culture, Media and Sport, the government department which includes tourism in its policy remit, under an Act of Parliament.Travel, hospitality and attractions form Britain’s fifth-largest industry, directly employing over 1.4 million people. VisitBritain plays a key role in designing common standards for accommodation grading and quality assurance. VisitBritain, VisitScotland, the Wales Tourist Board, and the Automobile Association now have common quality standards. It has provided many small and medium enterprises with marketing support that they could not have otherwise afforded. VisitBritain’s marketing and PR activities are an essential part of improving Britain’s image abroad, particularly as London will be hosting the 2012 Olympic Games. VisitBritain and DCMS are working to ensure that the interests of the visitor economy are at the forefront of government work to prepare for the Games and to create a lasting legacy for the visitor economy.
LONDON (eTN) - The Prince of Wales has agreed to be the royal patron of British Tourism Week next year. The Prince’s participation will raise the profile of the event which is scheduled for March 10 to 18, 2008.British Tourism Week ’08 marks the start of a year in which the British tourism industry’s priority is preparation for the 2012 Olympic Games in London. “His Royal Highness’ participation in British Tourism Week will help us raise even greater awareness of tourism experiences in this country,” said Stephen Dowd, chairman of British Tourism Week and director of UKinbound. “His interests in many of the quintessential elements that constitute Britain’s tourism brand make The Prince the perfect ambassador.”Events planned for the Week will raise international awareness of the size and importance of Britain’s visitor economy, valued at about Ј85 billion per year. It will highlight the contribution made by large and small businesses in the sector. VisitBritain’s travel trade fair, March 11 to 12 will be the centerpiece of British Tourism Week and other regional events will take place around Great Britain at the same time.“The Prince of Wales’ support is further evidence of the critical importance of tourism to the UK economy and of our royal heritage to the tourism industry,” said Tom Wright, VisitBritain chief executive. “His Royal highness has consistently supported our industry over many years and has been an influential ambassador at home and abroad.”British Tourism Week is a new creation. Its first edition this year included over 50 events across the country and attracted the attention of over 300 politicians who visited tourism enterprises in their constituencies. Members of Parliament signed a pledge card backing the events in Parliament and a motion recognizing the value of tourism in the national economy. An exhibition of photography by MPs and members of the Welsh Assembly was held at the Britain and London Visitor Centre.“Tourism’s importance to the UK’s economy can often be overlooked and our industry suffers when we fail to recognize that every business contributes to a greater whole,” said Dowd. “Together during British Tourism Week, we can change the perception that the different sectors, from transport and tour operators to accommodation providers, travel agencies and attractions, operate independently.”British Tourism Week is organized by VisitBritain and UKinbound with support from the Tourism Alliance, Tourism Society, ABTA and Britain’s national and regional tourist boards.VisitBritain was named the world’s leading tourist and convention bureau at the 2006 World Travel Awards, and promotes Britain as a world-class tourist destination. It is responsible fo developing the visitor economy of England with a network of representative offices in 36 countries. VisitBritain is funded by the Department for Culture, Media and Sport, the government department which includes tourism in its policy remit, under an Act of Parliament.Travel, hospitality and attractions form Britain’s fifth-largest industry, directly employing over 1.4 million people. VisitBritain plays a key role in designing common standards for accommodation grading and quality assurance. VisitBritain, VisitScotland, the Wales Tourist Board, and the Automobile Association now have common quality standards. It has provided many small and medium enterprises with marketing support that they could not have otherwise afforded. VisitBritain’s marketing and PR activities are an essential part of improving Britain’s image abroad, particularly as London will be hosting the 2012 Olympic Games. VisitBritain and DCMS are working to ensure that the interests of the visitor economy are at the forefront of government work to prepare for the Games and to create a lasting legacy for the visitor economy.
No comments:
Post a Comment