Australia to host next Destination Britain event in May 2008

VisitBritain has chosen Australia as the venue for its 2008 Destination Britain trade event.

The show to be held next May will attract travel trade buyers, decision-makers and media from more than 10 countries in the Asia-Pacific region. 

This year’s show in Beijing was attended by 49 British tourism businesses and 93 Asian Pacific buyers.

The Australian event will be a major element of VisitBritain’s ambitions for British tourism as it prepares to take the torch of the Olympic Games and to leverage the opportunities presented by the London 2012 Games, according to VisitBritain.

Marketing director  Michael Bedingfield said: “Nearly 1 in 20 Australians come to Britain every year and many of them will be watching us closely to see if we can better the triumph of the Sydney Olympics.

“Hosting Destination Britain in Australia in 2008 recognises its importance to Britain’s £85 billion visitor economy. Taking place on the 50th anniversary of VisitBritain’s presence in Australia, Destination Britain 2008 will help ensure the 2012 Games raises awareness of all our destination offers.

“It will help us prove to the region’s travel trade that Britain is ready to welcome many more Australians and the rest of the world in 2012 and beyond.”

by Phil Davies