11 March 2008

PM talks up British Tourism Week

Prime Minister Gordon Brown has given his support to British Tourism Week.

He released a video-message to coincide with the start of the annual promotion of UK tourism.

Brown praised the ââ¬Åâœmagnificent countryside, our dynamic cities and our world class events ââ¬' the unique attractions of a country where heritage and history sit comfortably within a vibrant modern cultureââ¬~.

He stressed the importance of doing ââ¬Åâœeverything we can to boost tourism and to spread the legacy of these once-in-a-lifetime events [2012 Olympic Games and 2014 Commonwealth Games] throughout the nations and the regions of Britainââ¬~.

The Prince of Wales also praised tourism as ââ¬Åâœone of this countryââ¬â¢s great success storiesââ¬~ and British Tourism Weekââ¬â¢s recognition of the ââ¬Åâœhuge economic difference which [tourism] makes to local communities throughout the countryââ¬~.

He spoke of the unique and precious assets that ââ¬Åâœlie at the very heart of what makes the United Kingdom such as premier tourist destinationââ¬~ and the need to ââ¬Åâœvalue and preserve themââ¬~.

The messages came as British Tourism Week was launched yesterday with an event for 150 tourism businesses in London attended by culture secretary Andy Burnham, tourism minister Margaret Hodge and Conservative shadow culture minister Tobias Ellwood.

The two-day British Travel Trade Fair opens today in Birmingham.

VisitBritain chief executive Tom Wright said: ââ¬ÅâœIf we are to maintain our success in a world of ever-increasing competition, we must ensure the welcome we offer our visitors is of a globally high standard.

ââ¬ÅâœBritish Tourism Week will help us remind MPs, the media, opinion-leaders and consumers of the huge range of quality holidays that Brits and international visitors can enjoy here and get them to take a break over Easter and the summer ahead.ââ¬~

Stephen Dowd, co-chairman of British Tourism Weekââ¬â¢s multi-sector steering committee and chief executive of UKinbound, said: ââ¬ÅâœAround 2.1 million people ââ¬' nearly eight per cent of the workforce ââ¬' in a wide range of sectors depend on tourism for their jobs and livelihoods. The nationââ¬â¢s fifth biggest economy is worth Ã&#pound;85 billion and provides opportunities at every possible skill level and thatââ¬â¢s why itââ¬â¢s vital for regeneration and the employment of younger people.ââ¬~

by Phil Davies 

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• Practise what you preach
  
  

  It's all very well these high profile endorsements of the UK as a holiday destination but are public figures taking their holidays in the UK? I'm looking for sponsors and people in public life such as MPS and tourism chiefs, as well as member of the public, to show me round their local area during my proposed "Best of Britain off the beaten track" blogging tour.

  By Karen Bryan, Tuesday, March 11, 2008