Best of Britain & Ireland Show Preview by Rebecca Webb

SHOW PREVIEW WWW.BOBIEVENT.COM

Opening Times: Wednesday 11 March: 10:00 - 17:00 Thursday 12 March: 10:00 - 16:00

THE UK & IRELAND’S LARGEST GATHERING OF DESTINATIONS, ATTRACTIONS & VENUES.

What’s inside EXHIBITOR LIST & HIGHLIGHTS

YOUR INDUSTRY, YOUR EVENT Best of Britain & Ireland, taking place at the NEC, Hall 8 on the 11-12 March 2015, has established itself as the annual show for the domestic tourism industry; one that brings together the largest number of UK and Irish venues, destinations and attractions at a key buying time of the year. It is a must attend for visitors looking to source new holidays, trips, tours, breaks and venues for their clients. In fact, anyone within the industry wanting to offer their clients new experiences. The success and continued interest in the show highlights the growing upturn in business confidence and the demand for an event that showcases and celebrates the value of tourism to the economies of England, Ireland, Scotland and Wales.

Pages 4-7 SHOW FEATURES Pages 2-3 FULL SEMINAR PROGRAMME Page 5

SO WHAT IS IN STORE FOR THOSE VISITING THIS YEAR’S SHOW? Supported by leading players within the industry including VisitEngland, Visit Wales, Tourism Ireland, VisitScotland, CPT, CTC and ETOA, Best of Britain & Ireland has attracted 300+ exhibitors representing national and regional tourist boards, hotels, leading attractions, industry associations and suppliers. There is no other event in the industry calendar that brings together so For a current many exhibitors in one place at one time. list of exhibitors This preview will give you a real flavour of what to expect when visiting see page 4. the show but to whet your appetite… There is a new feature area dedicated to Britain’s heritage and independent hotels; and a focussed two day seminar programme commencing with a rare opportunity to hear and question the leading political parties on their plans for the domestic tourism industry if they come to power after the general election. You can also hear for the first time from Resorts World Birmingham, the UK’s first integrated leisure complex, set to open in the summer next to the NEC. And once you have registered to attend, don’t forget to utilise the Meetings Planner which enables you to pre book meetings with exhibitors to create your own bespoke schedule. Best of Britain & Ireland is the annual event for the domestic tourism industry. It is your event. There is no better place to meet existing and source new business suppliers and service providers, and most importantly to grow and develop your business. If you have not already, secure your free visitor pass at www.bobievent.com.

THE RISE OF HERITAGE TOURISM & INDEPENDENT HOTELS Following the success of the ‘Historical Gems’ feature area last year supported by Hudson’s Media, one of the leading providers of tourism and heritage information, the company are returning to Best of Britain & Ireland as sponsors of two feature areas dedicated to Heritage Tourism and independent hotels. ‘Britain’s Heritage’, celebrates the importance heritage tourism plays in the British economy. With heritage tourism accounting for over £26billion towards the UK economy, the area gives historical houses, gardens and attractions the opportunity to showcase their tourism offering in ‘Britain’s Heritage’ a dedicated branded area. Exhibitors include Dartington and ‘Hotel Lobby’ Hall, Romney Hythe & Dymchurch Railway, Sulgrave feature areas can Manor, Temple Newsam House and Visit Caerphilly. be found on Stand numbers B42 & B50.

New to the show is a ‘Hotel Lobby’ feature area dedicated to the UK and Ireland’s growing and resilient independent hotel sector. Providing an opportunity for Hudson’s Media to profile Signpost, the UK hotel directory, the area provides Signpost hoteliers and other independent hotels the opportunity to meet tour organisers and operators face to face at a key planning time of the year for the hotel industry. Come and meet the likes of The Coniston Hotel and Country Estate, Hillgrove Hotel Leisure & Spa, Radisson Blu Edwardian Hotels and Rendezvous Hotel.

GENERAL ELECTION DOMESTIC TOURISM QUESTION TIME With Best of Britain & Ireland taking place under two months before the General Election, the show has attracted the key political parties to participate in a special Tourism Question Time organised with The Tourism Society. This is a rare opportunity to hear how the Conservatives, Liberal Democrats and UKIP plan to support the domestic tourism industry if they are successful in forming the next government. Already confirmed to participate are Helen Grant MP, the Government’s Sports & Tourism Minister; Lord Lee, Liberal Democrat Peer, Chair, Tourism All Party Parliamentary Group; Lord Storey, Liberal Democrat Peer who oversaw the regeneration of Liverpool, successfully delivering a European Capital of Culture year, and William Cash, UKIP Tourism &

Heritage spokesperson. Chaired by Bernard Donoghue, Chair Association of Leading Visitor Attractions, this special event will take place on Wednesday 11th March at 11.00 in the Seminar Theatre, situated at the back of the exhibition hall. View the full seminar programme on page 5. This is must attend free session for anyone who has an interest in the domestic tourism sector and the development of their businesses, whether an exhibitor or visitor. Don’t miss it.

MEET 300+ EXHIBITORS ON THE EXHIBITION FLOOR Best of Britain & Ireland 2015 will be two highly focussed days for anyone responsible for planning holidays, trips, tours and breaks for both domestic and international tourists. Amongst the 300+ exhibitors will be over 60 present for the first time, including attractions, destinations, venues, hotels, associations and regional tourist boards. The event offers an essential opportunity to meet existing, and source new, business suppliers and service providers – you will leave with everything you need to develop your business in the year ahead. View the full exhibitor list on page 4.

VisitEngland AT THE CLUB LOUNGE The 2015 Club Lounge at Best of Britain & Ireland is being hosted by VisitEngland, the country’s national tourist board. The Lounge is an ideal place for visitors to take some time out from their scheduled meetings, relax with a coffee and meet with the VisitEngland team. Why not request a meeting with the VisitEngland team via the Meeting Planner so you can find out what’s new and upcoming for England in 2015-16.

MEET UP WITH HILTON One of the key hubs of Best of Britain & Ireland is set to be the Meetings Area, sponsored by Hilton Worldwide. This area at the back of the show floor will be the perfect place to hold an informal meeting with any exhibitors and visitors you wish to connect with.

JOIN THE PRE-SHOW NETWORKING Be part of the networking before, during and after Best of Britain & Ireland by following @BoBI_event and using #BoBI15 when you tweet! Not on Twitter? Join our LinkedIn group and ‘like’ our Facebook page to network and take part in all the discussions.

PLAN YOUR DAY WITH THE MEETINGS PLANNER Already registered to attend Best of Britain & Ireland? Make sure you maximise your time at the event by logging into the Meetings Planner to pre-arrange meetings with exhibitors. You can then simply print your diary to take along on the day. If you have not yet received your login details please email rwebb@divcom.co.uk.

300+ EXHIBITORS* INCLUDING... Abbey Hotel Abbotsbury Swannery and Gardens Accor Action Tours Advantage Now Albatross London Albatross Travel Alice in Wonderland Ltd Alnwick Castle Alnwick Garden AmaZing Venues Argyll & The Isles Arundells ATG Attractions of Snowdonia BBC Tours The Beatles Story Beaulieu & Buckler's Hard Beggars Reach Hotel Best of Britain & Ireland 2016 Best Western Hotels Blaenavon World Heritage Site The Blueprint Guide to Group Travel Bodnant Welsh Food Bourne Hall Country House Hotel Bowood House and Gardens Brend Hotels Buccleuch Estates Caelum Associates CaledonianMacBrayne Cambria Tours Castle & Gardens of Mey Causeway Coast & Glens Tourism Cavern City Tours Cedar Court Hotels Celtic Royal Hotel Channel Islands Chilton Country Hotel Choice Hotels Europe Chooseyourvenue.com Christian Guild City of Gloucester Classic Britain Clifton Park Hotel The Coach Drivers Club Coach Tourism Council Confederation of Passenger Transport The Coniston Hotel and Country Estate The Cotswolds County Kildare Fáilte Crerar Hotels Cruise & Maritime Voyages Cruise Loch Lomond Dartington Hall Davenport's Magical Kingdom De Vere Venues Destination Mourne Mountains & Ring of Gullion Devon's Top Attractions DFDS Seaways Discover Carmarthenshire

Discover Ceredigion Discover Durham Distinctive Systems Eden Hotel Collection The Elan Valley Visitor Centre Ena Mill and Courtyard at Tarleton Encore Tickets English National Opera ETOA Eurotours International Eurotunnel Le Shuttle Explore Northumberland Explore the Lake District Extreme Ireland The Fleece Inn Focus Hotels Ford and Etal Forest of Dean & Wye Valley Four Pillars Freedom Hotels Great Gardens of West Wales Greatdays Travel Group Gregynog The Group Company Groups on Track GTO Magazine Guild of Registered Tourist Guides Hard Days Night Hotel Heritage Wales Hillgrove Hotel Leisure & Spa Hilton Worldwide Holdsworth Hotels Holiday Ireland Hotels Hospitality Line The Hotel Collection Hudson's, a Tourism Media company ICT Interstate Hotels Irish Whiskey Museum Isle of Man Railways Isle of Man Steam Packet Isle of Man Tourism Isle of Wight Jupiter Hotels Kew Green Hotels Ltd Killarney Hotels Leisureplex Holiday Hotels Liverpool FC Llandudno Hospitality Association London Hotels & Travel Services Longleat Looe, Cornwall Louvre Hotels UK Love Weston Mackenzie Hotels - Norfolk Manx National Heritage Marriott Hotels Mayo County Council MBA & Irelands Choice Meetings & Incentive Travel Menzies/Hallmark Hotels Mersey Ferries

The Metropole Hotel & Spa Mill Rythe Holiday Village Millenium & Copthorne Hotels Mount Stuart MyFerryLink The National Coach Tourism Awards National Library of Wales National Museums Liverpool National Trust Wales Norman Allen Group Travel North Wales Tourism Northern Secrets Northlink Ferries Oceana Hotels Olympus Fish and Chip Resturant Original Shrewsbury P&O Ferries Park Lodge Hotel Phoenix Artist Club Plas Cadnant Hidden Gardens Portsmouth & Gosport Powderham Castle PREM Group Hotels Preseli Venture Ecolodge & Adventures Principal Hayley The Quays Radisson Blu Edwardian Hotels Ravenglass & Eskdale Railway Redefine | BDL Hotels Rendezvous Hotel Riviera Hotel, Bournemouth Roadchef Service Areas Roeville Reservations Software Romney Hythe & Dymchurch Railway Royal Highland Hotel The Royal International Air Tattoo Royal Victoria Hotel Snowdonia Rural Concierge Salisbury Cathedral and Magna Carta Scott Hotels SeaQuarium Rhyl SeaQuarium Weston-super-Mare See it Do it Sunderland See Tickets Select Hotels of Ireland Severn Valley Railway & Ironbridge Gorge Museums SGE Hotels Shakespeare's England Shire Hotels Signature Living Signpost Hotels, a Tourism Media company Sligo Park Hotel & Leisure Club Snowdon Mountain Railway Snowdonia Mountains & Coast Snowdonia National Park Centre South Devon Railway South Quay Travel & Leisure Southport - England's Classic Resort

Spinnaker Tower St Albans St Patricks Country Steve Reed Tourism Strathmore Hotels Stuart Line Cruises Sulgrave Manor Swansea Bay Group Travel Take One Media The Tank Museum Temple Newsam House Thorpe Park Ticketmaster Groups Tifco Hotels Ireland Titanic Experience Cobh Tourism for All UK Tourism Ireland Tourism Society Tourism South East Travel GBI Ullswater 'Steamers' Urr Valley Country House Hotel Vale of Rheidol Railway Vale Resort Venuefinder.com Vindolanda & The Roman Army Museum Vision Hotels Visit Angus Visit Birmingham Visit Caerphilly Visit Calderdale Visit Cardiff Visit Derry Visit Liverpool Visit Rugby Visit The Lothians Visit Wales Visit Worcestershire VisitEngland VisitScotland VisitWiltshire Wales Millennium Centre Warner Leisure Hotels We Are Weymouth Web Ticket Manager WELL Training The Welsh Experience @ Senedd-dy Owain Glyndwr Parliament House Welsh Rarebits West Midland Safari & Leisure Park West Somerset Railway Weymouth Sea Life Park and Tower Windermere Lake Cruises Woburn Abbey and Gardens World of Wedgwood Wroxall Abbey Hotel and Estate WWT Wetland Centres Youth Fun Days

FREE BUSINESS SEMINARS Take advantage of the knowledge and expertise of the event’s media partners – representing the coach, domestic tourism and venues sectors – who will be hosting topical, relevant sessions. These, together with the rest of the seminar programme, will give visitors the knowledge and insight to help develop their businesses in the future and keep up-to-date with all the latest sector developments.

WEDNESDAY 11 MARCH 11:00

THE TOURISM SOCIETY’S ‘GENERAL ELECTION’ TOURISM AND VENUES QUESTION TIME – PANEL DISCUSSION Chair: Panel includes:

Bernard Donoghue, Director, Association of Leading Visitor Attractions Helen Grant MP, the Government’s Sports & Tourism Minister; Lord Lee, Liberal Democrat Peer and Chair of Tourism All Party Parliamentary Group; Lord Storey, Liberal Democrat Peer; and William Cash, UKIP Tourism & Heritage

Taking place just two months before the general election, this session will give each Party the opportunity to outline their support and plans for the future of the domestic tourism industry should they come to power. 13:45

DOMESTIC TOURISM: PAST ITS PEAK OR ON THE ROAD TO NEW HIGHS? Moderator: Panel includes:

Ian Taylor, Executive Editor, Travel Weekly Deirdre Wells, Chief Executive, UKinbound; Denis Wormwell, Chief Executive, Shearings; and Bernard Donoghue, Director, ALVA

What does the future hold for the domestic tourism sector? This session will ask key players in the industry whether the future is bright for a sector that brings billions of pounds into the British economy. 14:45

ARE VENUES BACK IN THE DRIVING SEAT? Moderator:

Allan Norbury, Editor, M&IT

Is an increase in business confidence with the upcoming election, a positive sign for the venues industry? What are the key issues affecting an industry that has seen tough times in recent years? 15:45

CHANGING THE FACE OF BIRMINGHAM (OPEN TO VIP BUYERS ONLY) An exclusive presentation, prior to its opening in Summer 2015, of the UK’s first integrated destination leisure complex. The complex will feature a fifty unit outlet centre, eleven restaurants, a 178 room four star boutique hotel with five rooms and suites, an Asian themed spa, a range of bars, 11 screen IMAX cinema, international casino, and will also be home to the VOX – operated by the ICC – a state of the art banqueting and conference centre with a capability to host up to 900 delegates.

THURSDAY 12 MARCH 10:30

BIG VERSUS SMALL – GETTING NOTICED BY GTOS AND TOUR PLANNERS Moderator:

Stuart Render, Editor, Coach Monthly

This session will tackle the challenges facing smaller attractions and accommodation suppliers. How can they best compete with the more established and larger players within the sector. 11:45

CHANGING THE FACE OF BIRMINGHAM (OPEN TO ALL) An exclusive presentation, prior to its opening in Summer 2015, of the UK’s first integrated destination leisure complex. The complex will feature a fifty unit outlet centre, eleven restaurants, a 178 room four star boutique hotel with five rooms and suites, an Asian themed spa, a range of bars, 11 screen IMAX cinema, international casino, and will also be home to the VOX – operated by the ICC – state of the art banqueting and conference centre with a capability to host up to 900 delegates.

14:30

WHERE’S TECHNOLOGY TAKING THE TRAVEL INDUSTRY? Session details to be announced. Check www.bobievent.com for the latest details. Seminar programme (correct as at 13 February 2015).

EXHIBITOR NEWS GET MORE WITH TICKETMASTER GROUPS

WARNER LEISURE HOTELS CONTINUE TO INVEST

Ticketmaster Groups (stand D27) will be showcasing their total sales service for group organisers, social clubs, coach operators, inbound and domestic tour operators and, schools. They can offer everything from spectacular West End musicals and world class concerts to sports and side-splitting comedy. In 2015 they promise to do even more for their Groups audience by adding new events, refreshing their Groups website and exploring new and innovative ways to make it even easier to work with them.

Warner Leisure Hotels, renowned for its investment to all 13 locations across the brand, currently have a £6 million development unfolding at Bodelwyddan Castle Hotel, North Wales. The expansion scheme will consist of 45 new luxury lodges, a stunning glass atrium and new coffee lounge area. The hotel will now benefit from extra capacity for its dazzling live entertainment with the glass atrium providing a quirky venue for all guests to enjoy. Find out more at stand D31.

A PACKED SCHEDULE AT MOUNT STUART

EXPLORE THE VALE OF RHEIDOL BY STEAM TRAIN

Mount Stuart, on the Isle of Bute, offers visitors the chance to explore the house at their own speed with free flow days. Visit them on stand A26 to find out about their gardens, restaurant, new art gallery and interactive exhibition. 2015 sees a packed programme of events including the Rhododendron festival, Summer Solstice walks & Scarecrow Festival.

Visitors to the VisitWales Pavilion can discover the Vale of Rheidol Railway (stand A75). Narrow gauge steam trains run throughout the year on the scenic route between Aberystwyth and Devil's Bridge. Aberystwyth is also home to the Aberystwyth Cliff Railway, another great attractions for your groups. They will be joined by Park Lodge Hotel, the perfect base for your group when exploring Mid Wales.

FOLLOW THE WHITE RABBIT IN LLANDUDNO Visit stand B85 to find out about the new Alice in Wonderland digital e-tour and town trail in Llandudno. Created to celebrate 150 years since the first publication of the classic book, these free 3D digital App’s include ‘Alice Origins’ where you can meet the Wonderland characters, ‘Learn Welsh with Alice’ – a guide to useful Welsh words and phrases, and ‘White Rabbit’ where you can follow the real Alice in Wonderland.

CELEBRATE 800 YEARS OF THE MAGNA CARTA VisitWiltshire (stand G43) will be highlighting a number of Salisbury and Wiltshire group visit opportunities for 2015. An exciting addition is the new Magna Carta trail, to celebrate the 800th anniversary, which includes a visit to see the finest preserved of four original 1215 Magna Cartas displayed at Salisbury Cathedral and takes visitors to Stonehenge. Visit the team to find out more.

DISCOVER THE GATEWAY TO EDINBURGH Visit The Lothians will be promoting their new website which allows group and travel tour operators easy access to all the information they need to plan a visit to the area, which is conveniently located next door to Scotland’s capital city, Edinburgh. The website showcases the award-winning attractions, and the best places for food and drink as well as the quality accommodation available, plus special offers and rates. Visitors are invited to stand C20/4 to pick up their new guide.

JOIN THE PARTY AT SPINNAKER TOWER Stop at stand F31 to meet the Spinnaker Tower team and discover the iconic Tower’s 10th birthday celebration plans, including three new group catering options, two new joint tickets, one amazing competition for groups and a reduced group qualifying size of 10 throughout 2015. There is no better time to explore the Great Waterfront City of Portsmouth and where better to start than with a panoramic view 100 metres up above Portsmouth Harbour at Spinnaker Tower?

NAME THE LOVE WESTON DONKEY!

DISCOVER NEW REASONS TO VISIT CARDIFF Stand A81 (Visit Cardiff) will be showcasing numerous options for groups including the new Cardiff History & Hauntings St Fagans Ghost Tour which leads through dark buildings in St Fagans National History Museum; pre-scheduled tours in St Donats Castle where the highly acclaimed BBC production Wolf Hall was partly filmed; plus the world-famous Millennium Stadium which offers guided tours and group rates.

Tourism bosses in Weston-super-Mare, in partnership with Weston Business Improvement District, will once again be showcasing the resort at this year’s Best of Britain & Ireland. Last year, Phoenix the Donkey, a lifesize painted donkey, was the star. This year, they are launching a rather different donkey as their BoBI Mascot! From the 9th to the 28th February, they are inviting people to name the donkey to win a hudl 2 - visit www.loveweston.com. Tourism Manager Deborah Matthews said “It was clear that our stand at BoBI really stood out last year, so this year we wanted to make sure that it once again will be fun and attractive to visitors to the show. We like to offer something different and eye catching, whilst showcasing our resort and involving our members too, many of which have kindly donated prizes and giveaways”. Find out more on stand E46!

PLAN EARLY WITH NORMAN ALLEN GROUP TRAVEL Norman Allen Group Travel, will have a brand new mini brochure for 2016 at stand F45. For those clients who like to plan early this will highlight some of NAGT’s new ideas for next year, and a selection of their itineraries for the winter season 2015/16. Continental, British and Irish tours will be featured and all can be tailored to client’s specific requirements.

HEREFORDSHIRE IS BACK AT BOBI Rural Concierge, returning for their second year, will be offering details of all the Key Attractions with Tours and Inclusive Excursions throughout the seasons. They can advise on the most interesting things to see, finest eateries and best places to stay. The company works in partnership with local tourism businesses, organisations and tour guides, thus enabling tourists and local residents alike to get the very best from their trip. Visit stand G25 to find out more.

MEET WALES’ NUMBER 1 VISITOR ATTRACTION

DISCOVER DOWNTON AT ALNWICK CASTLE

Wales Millennium Centre currently welcomes more than one million visitors every year, and will be present on stand A89 to showcase what the Centre has to offer including theatre tickets, free performances, art exhibitions, events and conference spaces and behind the scenes tours of the building. They also have bars, cafes and restaurants. Visit them to find out about benefits for the travel trade, including exclusive travel trade rates in their ffresh restaurant, Coach Driver incentives and group organiser benefits.

Alnwick Castle, one of the North East’s largest visitor attractions was featured in Downton Abbey’s 2014 Christmas special as the magnificent Brancaster Castle. Following from this, visitors in 2015, can explore a new Downton Abbey exhibition, featuring photography, costumes, and props from the filming. Group visitors can also enjoy a groups-exclusive Downton Abbey Tour of the State Rooms, as well as tours of the art and furniture collections. Find out more at stand B10.

GETTING TO YOUR INDUSTRY EVENT LOCATION:

SHOW OPENING TIMES:

Hall 8, NEC, Birmingham, B40 1NT Nearest rail stations: Birmingham International Car parking is £10 a day Bus & Coach routes: The 900 and 97 regularly run from Birmingham City Centre, and coach services by National Express and Megabus run daily to Birmingham Airport, just minutes away from the NEC.

Wednesday 11 March: 10:00 – 17:00 Thursday 12 March: 10:00 – 16:00 Last admission is 30 minutes before show close. For more travel information please visit www.bobievent.com/useful-information

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