Business tourism revival sought by VisitEngland
Wednesday, 15 Apr, 2010
0
An action group has been created in an effort to boost England’s business tourism.
Bob Cotton, chief executive of the British Hospitality Association and the London Business Tourism Steering Group, is to chair the Business Visits and Events Action Group.
The group, which includes representatives from across the industry each with expertise in the sector, is to create a ten year strategy and a short term sales and marketing plan over three years.
The move comes against the background of a seep decline in business travel during the recession.
While domestic holiday trips increased by 19% last year over 2008, the traditionally lucrative sector of business and events tourism has suffered as a result of the economic downturn.
Domestic overnight business trips fell by one per cent in both the UK and England and inbound business travel fell by 20%.
Business tourism has been identified as a key area of potential growth by the recently launched Strategic Framework for English Tourism.
The core of the strategy will focus on the key areas of business visits including exhibitions and tradeshows, corporate and association events as well as identifying opportunities for winning and supporting more large sporting events and cultural events for England.
A process of consultancy will be take place throughout the year culminating in the launch of the strategy at CONFEX and Discovery next year.
Cotton said: “We are in the process of creating a robust strategy which will support this important sector and provide focus for the future.
“Phase one of the strategy will focus on research and market intelligence. We will create a competitor analysis and identify our key objectives and goals that will form a comprehensive sales and marketing plan.”
VisitEngland chef executive James Berresford added: “We are lucky to include some of the best business tourism brains on the steering group who I am sure will inject the sector with confidence and energy, and provide the vital market intelligence it requires to succeed in the challenging times ahead.”
by Phil Davies
Phil Davies
Vegas’s Billion-Dollar Secrets – What They Don’t Want Tourists to Know
Visit Florida’s New CEO Bryan Griffin Shares His Vision for State Tourism with Graham
Chicago’s Tourism Renaissance: Graham Interviews Kristin Reynolds of Choose Chicago
Graham Talks with Cassandra McCauley of MMGY NextFactor About the Latest Industry Research
Destination International’s Andreas Weissenborn: Research, Advocacy, and Destination Impact
Graham and Don Welsh Discuss the Success of Destinations International’s Annual Conference
Graham and CEO Andre Kiwitz on Ventura Travel’s UK Move and Recruitment for the Role
Brett Laiken and Graham Discuss Florida’s Tourism Momentum and Global Appeal
Graham and Elliot Ferguson on Positioning DC as a Cultural and Inclusive Global Destination
Graham Talks to Fraser Last About His England-to-Ireland Trek for Mental Health Awareness
Kathy Nelson Tells Graham About the Honour of Hosting the World Cup and Kansas City’s Future
Graham McKenzie on Sir Richie Richardson’s Dual Passion for Golf and His Homeland, Antigua
ADS PRO 
Clearing CSS/JS assets' cache... Please wait until this notice disappears...
Updating... Please wait...
Qatar Airways offers flexible payment options for European travellers
Phocuswright reveals the world's largest travel markets in volume in 2025
Cyclone in Sri Lanka had limited effect on tourism in contrary to media reports
Skyscanner reveals major travel trends 2026 at ITB Asia
Higher departure tax and visa cost, e-arrival card: Japan unleashes the fiscal weapon against tourists