VisitBritain Wins Gold for Business Tourism

The UK´s meetings industry has named Discovery –VisitBritain´s biggest business tourism event- the Best Live Event of the year. The award was presented at the Meetings Industry Marketing Awards 2005 held on October 4 to mark the start of National Meetings Week.

With the next Discovery already planned for October 22 and 23 at the Marriott York, Jeremy Brinkworth, head of business tourism at VisitBritain, said destinations around the world compete to host the meetings, incentive trips, conferences and exhibitions of major global associations and organizations.

“Britain is already a popular choice as a business destination with seven million international business visitors spending £3.4 billion here every year and VisitBritain is determined to further increase its share of this valuable tourism segment. Business tourism, particularly meetings and events for 1,000 delegates or more, can bring millions of pounds to local and regional economies,” Mr. Brinkworth added.

“The entire event came across as very professional and an excellent platform of how the British Isles can be promoted,” said Hamish Reid, general manager of Jersey Conference Bureau. “The VisitBritain team was very professional and did a thorough job in not only looking after buyers but also us as suppliers.”

In addition to meetings, delegates took part in a series of trips to get familiar with the latest news and information about venues, accommodation and attractions for the business visitor.

Organized by Meetings & Incentive Travel magazine, the awards are open to businesses engaged in the organization or provision of products or services to the UK´s meetings and events industry. They were launched in 2002 to raise standards and recognize marketing expertise and best practice.