News Archive
Olympic Games set to fan tourism flame
THE 2012 Olympic games are set to boost London and Britain’s position in the changing world of global tourism.
VisitLondon and VisitBritain have published new research which found that the games could bring about a steep change in the country’s success in attracting visitors from emerging tourist markets such as India, China and Russia.
The research, commissioned from Oxford Economics, concludes that the total potential tourism benefits expected from the Games range could be as high as £2.2 billion for London and £2.9 billion for the UK as a whole, depending on the right strategies and investments.
VisitLondon’s CEO, James Bidwell, said: “London is already the number one city destination in the world and drives the UK economy.
“Whilst two thirds of the benefits of the 2012 Games will remain within the capital, this research highlights the crucial role London plays as the gateway to Britain, with almost one third of the benefits of the Games to flow to the rest of the UK.”
The research also supports new findings from the Anholt-GMI Brand Index, which shows that potential visitors from emerging markets such as India, China, Indonesia, Malaysia and Mexico are more likely than more established UK visitor markets to say the London Games would motivate them to visit.
Tom Wright, VisitBritain’s CEO, said: “The 2012 Games is a once in a lifetime opportunity to showcase Britain to the emerging giants of tourism and ensure that we remain globally competitive for the next decade and beyond.
“The greatest growth is forecast to come from countries that are least familiar with Britain.
“To create the biggest audience possible around the Games, we must continue to invest in our network overseas and extend our footprint in emerging markets across China, India, Malaysia and the Philippines.
“The research gives cause for optimism, but delivering these benefits will involve insightful planning and strategy, investment and commitment from the private and public sector.”
THE 2012 Olympic games are set to boost London and Britain’s position in the changing world of global tourism.
VisitLondon and VisitBritain have published new research which found that the games could bring about a steep change in the country’s success in attracting visitors from emerging tourist markets such as India, China and Russia.
The research, commissioned from Oxford Economics, concludes that the total potential tourism benefits expected from the Games range could be as high as £2.2 billion for London and £2.9 billion for the UK as a whole, depending on the right strategies and investments.
VisitLondon’s CEO, James Bidwell, said: “London is already the number one city destination in the world and drives the UK economy.
“Whilst two thirds of the benefits of the 2012 Games will remain within the capital, this research highlights the crucial role London plays as the gateway to Britain, with almost one third of the benefits of the Games to flow to the rest of the UK.”
The research also supports new findings from the Anholt-GMI Brand Index, which shows that potential visitors from emerging markets such as India, China, Indonesia, Malaysia and Mexico are more likely than more established UK visitor markets to say the London Games would motivate them to visit.
Tom Wright, VisitBritain’s CEO, said: “The 2012 Games is a once in a lifetime opportunity to showcase Britain to the emerging giants of tourism and ensure that we remain globally competitive for the next decade and beyond.
“The greatest growth is forecast to come from countries that are least familiar with Britain.
“To create the biggest audience possible around the Games, we must continue to invest in our network overseas and extend our footprint in emerging markets across China, India, Malaysia and the Philippines.
“The research gives cause for optimism, but delivering these benefits will involve insightful planning and strategy, investment and commitment from the private and public sector.”
Visitors pour into Blackpool ... despite the weather
The washout summer did not deter holidaymakers flocking to Blackpool in August, latest figures suggest.
The UK’s leading seaside resort saw a 67 per cent rise in hotel bookings during the peak summer month despite the bad weather, according to online accommodation provider LateRooms.com.
The late availability hotel specialist took more than 5,000 bookings in this period, up by 2,000 on July.
Within the same period last year, only 1,244 bookings were made – despite the heat wave, the company said.
The figures prove that not everyone has been put off by the bad weather this summer and the late surge in demand also consolidated Blackpool’s position as a major UK attraction, according to LateRooms.com.
This reverses a trend seen by many seaside resorts in the rain-drenched, with the poor weather conditions resulting in fewer visitors than usual.
Tony Walsh, development director at LateRooms.com, said: “Despite the washout, we have had some good weekends this summer.
“People no longer book their holidays months in advance. Now, our breaks can be arranged based on the weather forecast – so there are no unpleasant surprises.”
The washout summer did not deter holidaymakers flocking to Blackpool in August, latest figures suggest.
The UK’s leading seaside resort saw a 67 per cent rise in hotel bookings during the peak summer month despite the bad weather, according to online accommodation provider LateRooms.com.
The late availability hotel specialist took more than 5,000 bookings in this period, up by 2,000 on July.
Within the same period last year, only 1,244 bookings were made – despite the heat wave, the company said.
The figures prove that not everyone has been put off by the bad weather this summer and the late surge in demand also consolidated Blackpool’s position as a major UK attraction, according to LateRooms.com.
This reverses a trend seen by many seaside resorts in the rain-drenched, with the poor weather conditions resulting in fewer visitors than usual.
Tony Walsh, development director at LateRooms.com, said: “Despite the washout, we have had some good weekends this summer.
“People no longer book their holidays months in advance. Now, our breaks can be arranged based on the weather forecast – so there are no unpleasant surprises.”
Poole businesses celebrated at awards
POOLE has celebrated its annual tourism awards ceremony, The Palms, for the fifth time.
Over 90 key tourism and business figures gathered at the Harbour Heights restaurant to celebrate the high standard of tourism operators and businesses in the town.
Bruce Grant-Braham, chairman of the Poole Tourism Management Board, said: “Poole businesses are leading the way and setting even higher standards which exceed customers expectations year on year.”
The Les Bouviers Restaurant with rooms was named Development of the Year for providing Poole’s only five star guest graded accommodation and the growth of Poole Park Fest from a small community event to 25,000 spectators this year earned Promotion of the Year.
Tourism personality of the Year was awarded to John Corderoy, owner and managing director of Tower Park based Breeze Volkswagen, for his personal support and sponsorship of tourism events.
A special judges award was also presented to The Lost Quay street theatre by Fladermouse Productions, which brought Poole’s rich history to life with stories about the infamous pirate Harry Paye.
Jonathan Sibbett, director at Sibbett Gregory, said: “We are proud to sponsor this event as Poole has an excellent tourism product which serves to make the town attractive not just to visitors and residents but to people wanting to invest and grow in this vibrant town.
“The Palms is a fantastic way to reward those businesses and individuals who have invested both their enthusiasm and commitment to play their full part in Poole’s reputation for excellence.”
POOLE has celebrated its annual tourism awards ceremony, The Palms, for the fifth time.
Over 90 key tourism and business figures gathered at the Harbour Heights restaurant to celebrate the high standard of tourism operators and businesses in the town.
Bruce Grant-Braham, chairman of the Poole Tourism Management Board, said: “Poole businesses are leading the way and setting even higher standards which exceed customers expectations year on year.”
The Les Bouviers Restaurant with rooms was named Development of the Year for providing Poole’s only five star guest graded accommodation and the growth of Poole Park Fest from a small community event to 25,000 spectators this year earned Promotion of the Year.
Tourism personality of the Year was awarded to John Corderoy, owner and managing director of Tower Park based Breeze Volkswagen, for his personal support and sponsorship of tourism events.
A special judges award was also presented to The Lost Quay street theatre by Fladermouse Productions, which brought Poole’s rich history to life with stories about the infamous pirate Harry Paye.
Jonathan Sibbett, director at Sibbett Gregory, said: “We are proud to sponsor this event as Poole has an excellent tourism product which serves to make the town attractive not just to visitors and residents but to people wanting to invest and grow in this vibrant town.
“The Palms is a fantastic way to reward those businesses and individuals who have invested both their enthusiasm and commitment to play their full part in Poole’s reputation for excellence.”
Bid to promote fine dining in the Highlands
A NEW scheme has been launched to promote fine dining on the Highlands and Islands.
Customers will be able to sample menus at a fraction of the usual cost at 36 of the region’s top restaurants through the Dine Around Highlands 2007 scheme.
Running until the end of November, the initiative guarantees customers a choice of gourmet meals at fixed prices of £15 or £25.
Jim and Mary Cowie of the award-winning Captain’s Galley in Scrabster said: “VisitScotland’s Dine Around Highlands promotion is a superb way to encourage more people, both locals and tourists, to try out some of the best food in the country at some of the Highlands’ top restaurants.
“We’re fortunate to have access to so many local suppliers who source the highest quality, fresh seasonal produce giving us fantastic ingredients to create a real taste of the Highlands for our diners.
“We hope to welcome many more people through our doors so we can impress them with the superb quality and range of our food”.
The Dine Around concept was developed originally by VisitScotland for the competitive Glasgow and Edinburgh food scenes, and was successfully introduced in the Highlands and Islands last year.
The promotion provides added value for customers and generates additional business at a comparatively quiet time for restaurants and hotel dining rooms.
Scott Armstrong, Area Director at VisitScotland Highlands said: “The Highlands is increasingly becoming known as a destination chosen for the quality of its food and produce as much as it scenery.
“Dine Around Highlands gives everyone a chance to sample the very best of Highland produce and Highland cuisine at a very attractive price.”
A NEW scheme has been launched to promote fine dining on the Highlands and Islands.
Customers will be able to sample menus at a fraction of the usual cost at 36 of the region’s top restaurants through the Dine Around Highlands 2007 scheme.
Running until the end of November, the initiative guarantees customers a choice of gourmet meals at fixed prices of £15 or £25.
Jim and Mary Cowie of the award-winning Captain’s Galley in Scrabster said: “VisitScotland’s Dine Around Highlands promotion is a superb way to encourage more people, both locals and tourists, to try out some of the best food in the country at some of the Highlands’ top restaurants.
“We’re fortunate to have access to so many local suppliers who source the highest quality, fresh seasonal produce giving us fantastic ingredients to create a real taste of the Highlands for our diners.
“We hope to welcome many more people through our doors so we can impress them with the superb quality and range of our food”.
The Dine Around concept was developed originally by VisitScotland for the competitive Glasgow and Edinburgh food scenes, and was successfully introduced in the Highlands and Islands last year.
The promotion provides added value for customers and generates additional business at a comparatively quiet time for restaurants and hotel dining rooms.
Scott Armstrong, Area Director at VisitScotland Highlands said: “The Highlands is increasingly becoming known as a destination chosen for the quality of its food and produce as much as it scenery.
“Dine Around Highlands gives everyone a chance to sample the very best of Highland produce and Highland cuisine at a very attractive price.”
