I am reproducing the invitation from the CEO VisitBritain to the UK tourism industry below, in order to ensure that it has been seen by the maximum possible audience and in particular by all in British Destinations membership.
I would urge colleagues, and especially those England, to try and attend one of the 6 English regional meeting. I would also urge you to consider helping to encouraging key local business, local representative groupings and any of key tourism partners in your destinations to do the same.
These meetings are your main chance to influence the use of £40m (over 3 years) of international product development and international marketing funding for England. It’s also your chance to find out what else VisitBritain will, under the new arrangements, be willing and able (allowed) to do for England, beyond its traditional and well-established international market remit.
I can’t over stress how important attendance at these meetings and well informed engagement in the discussions held there will be.
Invitation
The Discover England Fund: Delivering World Class Product
This will be an opportunity to shape future development of the Fund through questions and discussion, plus network with British Tourist Authority and industry colleagues.
The first event in London will be attended by the Tourism Minister David Evennett MP. To register your interest please click on your preferred date below. Further details will be available soon.
Since the positive spending review settlement, and the clarity on new priorities for both VisitEngland and VisitBritain, we have been working through the implications and considering the best way to achieve these goals. With core budgets unchanged, an additional £40m for the Discover England Fund and an uplift in GREAT monies, there is an unprecedented opportunity to drive additional visits and spend across the regions of England in the months and years ahead.
I would be delighted if you would join me at one of a series of sessions taking place across England. This will be a key opportunity to hear more on:
The spending review settlement for Tourism
Our future organisational priorities and delivery structure
Government aspirations for delivering world class product through the new £40m Discover England Fund
The sessions form a crucial part of our engagement process and I really do hope you can attend. I look forward to working closely with the whole industry as we continue to develop our plans.
Sally Balcombe
Chief Executive
British Tourist Authority
British Destinations 