For Jersey Tourism, attendance at BTTF is part a busy programme of travel trade activity.
The tourist board works closely with leading operators to the island such as Premier, Thomas Cook Holidays, Preston, Travelsmith, Jersey Travel Service and Islanders.
A new Jersey Tourism London office opened recen- tly to establish closer links with operators and retail independents and consortia.
The office will also be responsible for producing a trade newsletter to publicise developments on the island. Travel trade training will be provided by the London office, which is developing a self-study learning pack. Travel trade educationals are given high priority to ensure that as many agents as possible have first-hand knowledge of the destination.
There are special trade offers to Jersey until May, including Go As You Please educationals. Last year, 600 Thomas Cook agents visited the island when their conference was staged there. In April, it is the turn of ARTAC members when their organisation has its annual conference on the island.
As well as meeting with the travel trade at BTTF, Jersey Tourism will be using the show to highlight developments at Jersey Zoo.
It marks its 40th anniversary this year with the opening of its ‘First Impressions’ enclosure at the end of March.
The enclosure incorporates a visitor interpretation centre as well as accommodation for animals including the zoo’s pair of Andean Bears, and other South American species such as short-clawed otters.
The new development was given ú1.2m in funding from the States of Jersey Tourism Investment Fund in recognition of the contribution Jersey Zoo has made to the promotion of tourism on the island.
BTTF stand partners for Jersey Tourism are TravTel International; Huggier Hotels; Hotel de France; Premier Holidays; Emerald Lions ferry company and Preston Holidays.