British Tourism Week
British Tourism Week (15-21 March 2010) aims to demonstrate the critical value of tourism to the economy of the United Kingdom. www.britishtourismweek.com
Through a week of events throughout the UK it will:
- Increase awareness of the success and importance of the tourism industry. Britain's fifth biggest industry, worth £114billion pa and which employs 2.65million people.
- Raise quality standards.
- Promote training and professionalism.
- Improve the international competitiveness of the UK tourism industry.
- Support the preparations for hosting the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games.
Events include open days, "back to the floor" experiences, conferences, trade and consumer exhibitions, educational activities, special offers, guided walks and much more. Starting with the illumination of Hadrian's Wall on Saturday 13th, British Tourism Week features the Best of Britain and Ireland travel show at London's Olympia from 17-20 March during which the new Travel and Tourism Diploma will be launched and an Open Weekend at National Trust properties 20-21 March.
His Royal Highness the Prince of Wales is the Patron of British Tourism Week.
To get involved read the Caterer and Hotelkeeper weekly items and go to www.britishtourismweek.com
- Hold an open day - for students interested in a career in hospitality and tourism, for their lecturers and teachers, for their parents. It's really important for everyone to understand the wide range of opportunities available and skills needed and how vital tourism is to the community. It isn't the UK's 5th largest industry without reason!
- Invite your MP or prospective Parliamentary candidates to "get back to the floor" and find out how your business runs and how important it is to the community. Invite your local press - it's a good photo opportunity for you both! There's an invitation letter template on the website - do it today!
- Organise a local tourism "summit" involving all those with an interest - discuss what you can do collectively to improve business. Focus on quality, increase training - especially the customer welcome. Pick a day during British Tourism Week as your local "Tourism Day." Don't wait for someone else to do it - start now!
- Contact your local media to get an article on the importance of tourism to the community - remember Everywhere, Everyone and Every Day (see the website for help). Ask your local radio (and TV?) station to run a different tourism story every day during British Tourism Week - starting with your business of course!
- With social networking all the rage, British Tourism is not to be left out. Make your contribution on the Caterersearch.com website or the BTW site - click on the special BTW Facebook link. Give your thoughts on the Everyone, Everywhere, Every day campaign. Register a question you'd like to ask the tourism politicians at the special "Question Time" on 17th March. Whatever you do - get involved in this very important industry week.
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