VisitBritain’s corporate blog

The symmetry of demand and supply

David Edwards — Tue, 21 Feb 2012 16:43:00 +0000

You may have read the recent edition of Foresight, the 100th edition in fact, that set out the potential for growth in inbound visits through to 2020. The most important word in the previous sentence is ‘potential’, for as Foresight states, while the modelling behind the projections sets a rational ceiling for how many outbound trips a market can generate, it does not explicitly model any constraints from the supply-side within a destination.

Pink heart-shaped balloon anyone?

David Edwards — Tue, 14 Feb 2012 15:32:00 +0000

You cannot fail to notice that it is the day of the year on which you can spot groups of men stood nervously around a florists’ finest array of red and pink blooms trying to decide what to buy that looks good but won’t cost an arm and a leg.

To Russia with love

Gary Robson — Fri, 03 Feb 2012 15:46:00 +0000

My mission and I did choose to accept it was twofold; quickly get more in-depth knowledge about the Russian market and to experience Destination Britain Russia, a four day VisitBritain event in Moscow and St Petersburg a platform for suppliers to have pre-booked appointments with Russian buyers.

A flying visit to Spain and Belgium

Holger Lenz — Fri, 27 Jan 2012 11:54:00 +0000

It’s the same every year: as soon as the festive break is over it’s the start of the 'silly season' in the tourism industry calendar with the majority of trade shows, sales workshops and marketing activities all happening at the same time in the first quarter of the year..

Share Your Great Britain

Joss Croft — Fri, 06 Jan 2012 14:14:00 +0000

Well, as they say, Christmas is a time for friends and family and goodwill to all men (and women)!

And having spent a good proportion of Christmas day speaking with and Skyping various relatives and old friends around the globe, it is very clear that there is intense interest as to what is happening in Britain in 2012. I was in Berlin just before Christmas and a huge amount of the end of year reviews in the media from last year all profiled the Royal Wedding and looked forward to the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee, the Olympic Torch Relay, World Pride, or the 2012 Games themselves.

A big year for Britain & British tourism

Sandie Dawe — Wed, 04 Jan 2012 15:42:00 +0000

If you’ve been reading the UK press over the festive break you can’t fail to have read the many New Year messages from the Prime Minister and Foreign Secretary, to sports pundits and columnists all talking about the fact that 2012 is set to be a big year for Britain - and I would add - for British tourism.

To the North!

David Edwards — Tue, 03 Jan 2012 12:00:00 +0000

Yes I know last time I said I was introducing ‘an occasional series’ on what we know about inbound tourism to different parts of Britain so it perhaps seems a bit premature for a similar feature, but I trust you’ll forgive me, as having been in Scotland for the onset of 2012 the proverbial iron seemed hot enough to be struck…

Pampering is GREAT Britain

Paramjit Bawa — Tue, 13 Dec 2011 12:08:00 +0000

In all the “breaking news” that’s been surfing across the airwaves over the last couple of months shouting about Wayne Rooney’s 3-match European suspension, Tintin, and other critical developments, there was a small link to a news item from the UAE that waved to me from the depths of a website. The ruler of Abu Dhabi has ordered an increase in the salary of all Emirati Government employees by 35 to 45%. He further ordered the allotment of some 2,500 plots of land to Abu Dhabi citizens by way of promoting social stability.

VisitBritain on the move in Europe

Holger Lenz — Fri, 02 Dec 2011 17:09:00 +0000

I have not finished unpacking all boxes yet and we are still waiting for our telephone line (unfortunately no German efficiency from our provider here). And overall it’s still a little bit chaotic all around me. But I am already enjoying the new view from my desk overlooking one of the numerous Berlin Christmas markets.

From bicycles to BMWs...a rising China

Sumathi Ramanathan — Wed, 30 Nov 2011 10:08:00 +0000

Flip the pages of any major newspaper or financial magazine and one will be hard pressed not to find at least a story a week on China and its astonishing growth. China is averaging 9% growth and is forecasted to contribute to a third of global growth this year. The scale and enormity of China’s growth can only be truly felt when one lands in the mega-cities of Beijing and Shanghai.

What is it with Swedes and Britain?

Gary Robson — Mon, 28 Nov 2011 13:53:00 +0000

I would always describe myself as being proud to be British and proud to represent Britain in my work, but on Thursday 10 November, I was as proud and excited as I’ve ever been. The Swedish Olympic Committee asked me to speak at the Swedish Olympic Teams teambuilding event for coaches and athletes, to specifically wish them a warm welcome to London in 2012.