Still time for you to get involved with British Tourism Week

As Britain heads into another holiday season, tourism businesses are reminded that 23 to 29 March is the third annual British Tourism Week (BTW). If you haven’t already signed up it is still not too late to organise something or attend one of the 120 events already listed on the BTW website.

With the support of His Royal Highness the Prince of Wales, BTW aims to galvanise organisations and individuals to take pride in being part of the nation’s fifth biggest industry. Events aim to raise the profile of the £114bn visitor economy and draw national awareness to its critical importance and contribution to local economies and millions of livelihoods.

David Curtis-Brignell, co-chairman of BTW’s multi-sector steering committee says: ‘Around 2.7 million people and 200,000 small and medium-sized enterprises in a wide range of sectors depend on tourism for their jobs and livelihoods. We are asking them to help us raise awareness of the tourism experiences that can be enjoyed in this country. We hope that if nothing else, MPs, the media, opinion-leaders and consumers will take time to learn and talk about our industry during British Tourism Week.’

As well as a political lunch and reception to mark the week on Friday 27 March, MPs are being urged to visit tourism businesses in their constituencies.

The showcase event Best of Britain and Ireland, takes place at London’s ExCeL from 26-29 March. For the first time it involves two days exclusively for meetings between the industry and domestic and overseas travel buyers, followed by two consumer days when visitors will be able to get a real taste of all Britain and Ireland offer for a 2009 holiday.

Visit www.britishtourismweek.com for more information on the week of events being organised around the country.

If you are unable to organise or attend anything during BTW you can still show your support by displaying a British Tourism Week poster in your business. Download the poster here (pdf file).

Go to www.britainandirelandevent.co.uk to register for Best of Britain and Ireland and see a full programme of events and workshops.