01
21/12/11
15:44
Page 1
Issue 44 January/February £2.75
Bumper year ahead for UK tourism? By Christina Eccles 2012 could be a bumper year for UK tourism, with the country potentially attracting over 30m overseas visitors this year, according to experts. National tourism agency VisitBritain has released its 2012 visitor forecast, which predicts how the UK could benefit from the year’s major events such as the London Olympic and Paralympic Games and the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee. And the organisation predicts up to 30.7m international tourists could come to the UK over the next 12 months, potentially spending £17.6b. VisitBritain chief executive Sandie Dawe explained: “While these figures are in line with expected numbers in 2011, maintaining current visitor levels would be a good outcome in a year that is proving difficult to predict due to the current global economic climate and the impact this may have in many of our key markets. “We are currently on track to see a record number of holiday visits to the UK this year, which suggests that our appeal as a destination remains strong; this level of interest
is something we hope to build on as we head in to 2012. “The business traveller market however remains some way down on record levels, and there is some risk this could decline further if there was an economic slowdown as companies usually put in place measures to kerb travel costs.” Sandie added the coming months will be a great chance to promote the UK internationally in both existing markets and in new areas around the world. She added: “2012 gives us an unprecedented opportunity to showcase Britain in a way that we have never had before, allowing us to revitalise our appeal in mature markets and help us get Britain on the destination wish list of first time visitors from growth markets such as Brazil, China, India and Russia. “VisitBritain is working hard to ensure that the Games and the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee celebrations will generate positive PR for Britain, taking advantage of the global interest to increase tourism numbers in the years ahead and creating a lasting tourism legacy for the future.”
Roaring success as zoo hits hat-trick
TV presenter Gethin Jones visited the best of the Lake District as part of a new series which explores Britain’s adventure travel hotspots. Gethin and naturalist Charlotte Uhlenbroek visited the area to film an episode of ITV1 series The Adventurer’s Guide to Britain, stopping off at attractions such as the Eden and Ullswater Valleys and Angle Tarn. For full story see our feature on Cumbria and The Lake District on Page 14
BLACKPOOL Zoo is celebrating a hat-trick of records with visitor numbers, membership sales and school visits hitting all-time highs in 2011. Visitor numbers and revenue were up three per cent, while memberships have seen an eight per cent rise. School visits topped more than 50,000 for the first time during the year, up more than 1,500 on 2010. Significant births, the introduction of additional species, a new children’s farm and aviary and investment in the zoo’s main restaurant have all played a part in the increases. Marketing and PR coordinator Jude Rothwell said: “It has been another fantastically busy year here at Blackpool Zoo and we are delighted with the support we have received. “It is very important for us to continue investing in the zoo to give people reasons to return again and again.”