First Annual British Tourism Week 2007
The first annual British Tourism Week (BTW) will take place from 12-18 March 2007. His Royal Highness the Prince of Wales has been confirmed as Patron for this series of inter-related events, which aims to raise national awareness of the size, value and importance of Britain’s £74 billion visitor economy.
British Tourism Week highlights the contribution made by businesses from every part of the UK’s tourism industry, large and small, public and commercial in maximising future opportunities such as the Olympic Games.
It will galvanise the commitment of organisations and individuals to further improve and develop the industry. It will change the perception that the different sectors - from transport and tour operators to accommodation providers, travel agencies and attractions - operate independently. It will lay the foundations that will help ensure the future growth and prosperity of our visitor economy. It will help redefine both the image and the reality of British tourism in the important years ahead.
Organised by VisitBritain and UKinbound, working with Reed Travel Exhibitions and with the support of the Tourism Alliance and the Tourism Society, three national events are the centrepiece of British Tourism Week: VisitBritain’s British Travel Trade Fair (13-14 March 2007), UKinbound’s 30th Anniversary Convention (14-15 March 2007) and the Tourism Alliance Annual Event (12 March 2007). Scottish Tourism Week, organised by the Scottish Tourism Forum, takes place at the same time.
British Tourism Week aims to demonstrate that tourism is critical to the economy of the United Kingdom.
To achieve this we will:
* Increase industry awareness
BTW will help redefine both the image and the reality of British tourism for the future, by bringing together under one banner:
o businesses and their employees from every sector of the industry
o government at all levels
BTW aims to address, with all constituents and stakeholders, the lack of understanding of the size, scope and importance of the tourism industry and the inter-dependability of the different sectors such as transport, tour operators, accommodation and attractions.
* Raise quality standards
BTW aims to encourage a greater appreciation of the value of providing a quality tourism product. All sectors of the industry need to seek continuous improvement in order to guarantee an enjoyable experience for visitors and improve the UK’s international competitiveness.
* Promote training and professionalism
BTW will encourage tourism employers and employees to improve their customer service and skills-levels through training and development. BTW will, by raising awareness of the scope and importance of the tourism industry, emphasise that the industry represents a great career choice with extensive opportunities in multiple disciplines.
* Improve the UK’s competitiveness
The UK has been losing global market share for inbound tourism over the last ten years. BTW will explore how the UK’s complex tourism industry can work together and with government to improve its international competitiveness.
* Support the preparations for hosting the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games
For further information visit www.britishtourismweek.co.uk
