More business tourism records broken in 2005…
Final full year figures from the 2005 International Passenger Survey show 8.17 million inbound business visits were made contributing over £4 billion in spend. Overall business visits were up 9% and spend is up 10% on 2004 figures. This is against a downward spending trend in other tourism sectors. The continuing and increasing value of conferences and exhibitions was demonstrated by visits to trade fairs and exhibitions were up 21% with spend up by 9% and conference visits up by 17% and spend up by 23%. London was the top City for business visits with 3.18 million visits contributing £2.18 billion.
Welkom, Bienvenue, Hi and Hallo!...
Germany was the Country from which the highest number of business visitors came to the UK (1.08 million), followed by France (1 million), the United States (0.80 million) and the Netherlands (0.65 million). Spending £799 million, the United States was the top Country for business spend during 2005, followed by Germany (£316 million), France (£234 million), Italy and the Irish Republic (£183 million each).
An Olympic challenge…
Tessa Jowell, MP, Culture Secretary has launched her consultation paper aimed at maximising the long term benefit for tourism from the London 2012 Olympic & Paralympic Games. The section on business tourism reports that all recent Games have provided substantial impetus to the sector. Comments are invited on the scope of new work to maximise business tourism benefits. The report observes that business tourism in London is limited by the lack of purpose-built facilities of sufficient size and invites comments on the proposal by the London Mayoral Commission to provide a London International Convention Centre and its relevancy to increasing London's share of business tourism. Another question posed is whether a joining VisitBritain/Visit London Business Tourism Unit should be established or whether the present structures are sufficient?
The consultation also looks at the fitness of the industry structures to deliver the required benefits; the positioning of the UK as a world class destination; the improvement in quality; the linking of tourism to the wider 2012 effort and the setting of realistic targets. Individual representative organisations are invited to respond and the Partnership will also be collating a sector response. The consultation paper can be accessed at www.culture.gov.uk
A creative meeting with DCMS Officials…
As a result of representations to DCMS for business tourism to be considered as part of the Creative Industries a wide ranging meeting was held with Department Officials to look for opportunities to link with the Creative Economy Programme. The importance of the UK as a leader in world event management, employing and utilising creative talent in devising Event concepts was discussed together with the adoption of a Britain wide events' strategy. The involvement of the Sector in the presentation and organising plans for the 2012 Olympic Games was also sought. DCMS Officials were asked to use their good offices to influence the DTI to reinstate business support service for the sector. Other discussions centred around provision of sector research, a sector skills agreement, quality assessment of event venues, the BSI standard for Events Management and allocation of marketing resources and Ministerial bidding support. A follow-up meeting is planned for early in 2007.
An even bigger briefing…
Preparations are underway for the 2007 publication of an extended update to the Partnership's "Business Tourism Briefing". Member organisations are invited to submit copy for sectors that encompass their interests. New sections will focus on National dimensions; more coverage across a greater range of business events; marketing opportunities; the 2012 Olympics; creativity, communication and trade; quality, productivity and professionalism. More information please contact: tonyr@bacd.org.uk
Also planned is a review of Britain's attractiveness as a destination for business visits and events against overseas destinations. This would take the form of a gap analysis and would be conducted by VisitBritain in conjunction with Partnership members.
We AEME to please!...
The Association of Events Management Education (AEME) becomes the latest member of the BTP as the sector looks to improve the communication between educators and the industry to ensure universities and colleges meet industry needs as well as developing new initiatives which will enhance skill levels and productivity within the business tourism workforce. For more information about the Association: www.aeme.org