VisitBritain is taking the opportunity of the UK hosting the G7 Summit in Cornwall next weekend to inspire future travel.
The G7 countries and those invited as guests include some of the UK’s largest and most valuable inbound visitor markets, giving the national tourism agency a valuable chance to promote ‘destination Britain.’
The G7 Summit in Carbis Bay, Cornwall on June 11-13 comes as the latest forecast from VisitBritain shows a slow recovery for inbound tourism with overseas visitor spending this year in the UK of £6.2 billion, less than a quarter of the £28.4 billion in 2019.
Last year alone saw a more than £24 billion loss to the UK economy in overseas visitor spending.
The new research indicates strong pent-up demand for international travel in the next 12 months, with Britain high on the wish list of potential visitors.
Almost three quarters (73%) of those surveyed across 20 countries said they were likely to take an international leisure trip in the next 12 months, and 42% said they definitely would.
Sixty-one per cent of those who were keen to travel had not yet booked or decided where to go, giving VisitBritain an opportunity to influence decision-making, destination-choice and bookings.
Protocols on hygiene and safety are among the top assurances travellers said would boost their confidence in taking a trip abroad.
VisitBritain will be using the Summit to promote major events next year set to be significant global tourism draws including The Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games, The Queen’s Platinum Jubilee and Festival UK 2022.
VisitBritain director Patricia Yates said: “The G7 Summit and the accompanying international media exposure gives us a fantastic opportunity to highlight our outstanding tourism offer and the amazing experiences that visitors – including world leaders – can only have in Britain.With the ambition to be the ‘world’s meeting place’ the Summit also demonstrates Britain’s ability to host business events of the highest calibre.
“The G7 countries are incredibly important inbound visitor markets and the Summit is a valuable chance to promote our culture and heritage, our fabulous tourism products and new experiences that are unique to Britain, and ready and waiting for when visitors can return.
“We know there is pent-up demand for travel and our international teams are working closely with travel trade and partners in market to keep Britain front-of-mind to drive future trips, as well as highlighting messages of reassurance and welcome, as part of the G7 Summit and beyond.
“As restrictions are eased we will be competing hard for international visitors who contribute billions to our economy.”
- Travelodge is officially opening seven new hotels today across the UK at a cost of £70 million to third party investors. Almost 150 new jobs have been created as part of 17 hotels the budget chain announced earlier this year that it expects to open in 2021. Locations include: Boston, two in Bristol, Faringdon, Poole, St Albans and Witney. The seven properties expands Travelodge’s portfolio to 592 hotels across the UK, Ireland and Spain.