Industry award for VisitBritain and changes at the top

On 6 November, VisitBritain won the Tourist Board of the Year award at the 2008 British Travel Awards, beating Tourism Australia to the first place.

The British Travel Awards is the largest awards programme in the UK created to reward the best companies in travel. Recognised by consumers and travel professionals throughout the UK, The British Travel Awards are widely referred to as the “Oscars” of the travel industry.

From the votes received from both consumers and the industry across the major categories, a number of “Of The Year” awards are presented. Shortlisted companies are asked to complete a detailed questionnaire and submit specific information relevant to their business. The BTA Academy - a panel of industry experts and commentators – then consider the overall votes, information submitted and adjudicate on the biggest awards winners of the year.

On the same day, Tom Wright CBE announced he is to resign after nearly seven years as CEO of VisitBritain, and, formerly, the British Tourist Authority. He is to become CEO of a new charity and social enterprise organisation to be established next year from the merger of Age Concern England and Help the Aged.

Wright said, ‘I will stand down [...] as Chief Executive of VisitBritain in due course, this will allow me to see through the completion of the Framework Review, implement the key structural recommendations, and complete the development of our new three-year strategy with the Chairman, Board and the VisitBritain team.

‘I believe we have a highly effective and well-respected team to lead VisitBritain and VisitEngland towards the major opportunity of 2012 and also to address the current economic downturn. The new Framework will also lead to a more effective and efficient approach as to how all the tourism agencies work together.’

For more information on the British Tourism Framework Review go to www.tourismreview.co.uk.

For more information about the British Travel Awards and a full list of the winners, visit their website.