PRESS AND MEDIA INFORMATION
Google to headline Ukinbound convention in most important year of UK inbound tourism
27/01/2012
Technology giant Google is fielding its UK & Ireland Head of Online Travel, Scott Field, as the headline speaker at this year’s UKInbound Convention to be held in Belfast 1st and 2nd February.
Go...
Google to headline Ukinbound convention in most important year of UK inbound tourism
27/01/2012
Technology giant Google is fielding its UK & Ireland Head of Online Travel, Scott Field, as the headline speaker at this year’s UKInbound Convention to be held in Belfast 1st and 2nd February.
Google, who will be presenting on the future of technology and how it will impact overseas consumer purchasing behaviour in buying travel to the UK, head up a strong programme of speakers. Brian Wisdom of the Sector
Skills Council for Travel and Tourism will be talking through the “Welcome Host” programme – designed to improve the UK’s hospitality skills on the run up to the Golden Jubilee and The 2012 London Olympics.
Other speakers include Anthony Hilton, Financial Editor of the London Evening Standard talking on the economic impact of overseas developments on the inbound tourism market. Independent’s travel writer, Alison Rice, will talk through consumer perceptions of the UK and its hospitality, attractions and infrastructure.
The conference is expecting in excess of 180 delegates from every corner of the Inbound market in what Mary Rance, Chief Executive, UKInbound described as “one of the most important conventions in the history of UKInbound”.
“Technology, and how our customers use it, is becoming an extremely important part of the travel purchase, and indeed travel experience and UKInbound members need to be aware of the opportunities and threats it offers. Google are at the forefront of developments in the search, mobile and social media areas and Scott Field will illustrate how the inbound sector can harness technology to offer a better customer service”
BBC Breakfast host, Bill Turnbull, is the moderator for the main stage business sessions and there is also a full set of business sessions focused on specific topics ranging from staff training and Public Relations management to legal issues.
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Notes to Editors
UKinbound is the only trade association that represents the UK’s inbound tourism industry including accommodation providers, inbound tour operators, destination marketing, attractions, tourism service providers and ground handlers. The primary aim of UKinbound is to help members manage successful, profitable businesses that are part of a vibrant and sustainable inbound tourism industry. We achieve this by focusing on advocacy, professionalism and networking. • Inbound tourism is the UK’s third largest export industry.
The 29.7 million overseas visitors who came in 2009 spent £16.5 billion in the UK. These figures represent a 6.3% decline in volume and 1% (nominal) increase in value compared with 2008. In 2009 the UK ranked seventh in the international tourism earnings league (compared with sixth in 2007) behind the USA, Spain, France, Italy, China and Germany according to UNWTO figures.
For more information contact Anne-Marie Buckley on 020 7326 9880 /
anne-marie.buckley@brightergroup.com
John Penrose to Headline Ukinbound’s Annual Convention
27/01/2012
UKinbound has announced John Penrose, the Minister for Tourism and Heritage, as the headline speaker at the annual UKinbound convention, illustrating the government’s emphasis on the tourism industr...
John Penrose to Headline Ukinbound’s Annual Convention
27/01/2012
UKinbound has announced John Penrose, the Minister for Tourism and Heritage, as the headline speaker at the annual UKinbound convention, illustrating the government’s emphasis on the tourism industry ahead of the Olympics.
Taking place in Belfast 1-2 February, Penrose will share the government’s progress on its tourism strategy with major sector leaders from the inbound tourism field.
Penrose is also expected to take part in a robust discussion on where tourism fits in the government’s agenda given the importance of export tourism to the British economy.
Mary Rance, Chief Executive, Ukinbound said: “We are delighted to have secured John Penrose as a speaker ahead of this year’s events. The Olympics will undoubtedly thrust Britain to the centre of the global stage so to hear what the government is doing to harness this potential and make Britain’s tourist industry flourish is vital.”
Penrose, scheduled to follow the plenary session on Thursday 2 February, will join keynote speaker Scott Field, Head of Online Travel at Google, Anthony Hilton, Financial Editor for the London Evening Standard, independent travel writer, Alison Rice and Brian Wisdom in what is a strong programme of speakers.
The BBC’s Bill Turnbull will moderate the panel debate when industry leaders will discuss predictions for inbound tourism in 2012 and beyond.
More than 180 delegates are expected to attend the convention which comes at a crucial time for the inbound travel sector as London prepares for the biggest sporting event in the world and the UK celebrates the Queen’s Jubilee.
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Notes to Editors
UKinbound is the only trade association that represents the UK’s inbound tourism industry including accommodation providers, inbound tour operators, destination marketing, attractions, tourism service providers and ground handlers. The primary aim of UKinbound is to help members manage successful, profitable businesses that are part of a vibrant and sustainable inbound tourism industry. We achieve this by focusing on advocacy, professionalism and networking. • Inbound tourism is the UK’s third largest export industry.
The 29.7 million overseas visitors who came in 2009 spent £16.5 billion in the UK. These figures represent a 6.3% decline in volume and 1% (nominal) increase in value compared with 2008. In 2009 the UK ranked seventh in the international tourism earnings league (compared with sixth in 2007) behind the USA, Spain, France, Italy, China and Germany according to UNWTO figures.
For more information contact Anne-Marie Buckley on 020 7326 9880 /
anne-marie.buckley@brightergroup.com
UKinbound "bitterly disappointed" by Chancellor's decision to raise Air Passenger Duty (APD)
01/12/2011
UKinbound has expressed its "bitter disappointment" in response to the Chancellor’s announcement in his Autumn Statement this week that Air Passenger Duty is to rise by 10 % from April 2012, and h...
UKinbound "bitterly disappointed" by Chancellor's decision to raise Air Passenger Duty (APD)
01/12/2011
UKinbound has expressed its "bitter disappointment" in response to the Chancellor’s announcement in his Autumn Statement this week that Air Passenger Duty is to rise by 10 % from April 2012, and has strongly urged the Chancellor to reconsider the decision, given the impact the rise will have on inbound tourism and its vital contribution to the UK's economic recovery.
“UKinbound is bitterly disappointed by the Chancellor’s decision to increase APD even further and cannot comprehend his failure to acknowledge the damage this will cause to the already decreasing numbers of inbound tourists to the UK" said Mary Rance, Chief Executive, UKinbound.
“The UK already has the highest level of aviation tax in the world while competing European nations are reducing and even abolishing this prohibitive tax. Today’s announcement is yet another blow for the industry and it is difficult to see how the government can continue to claim to support the growth of inbound tourism to this country when making such decisions.
“We would strongly urge the Chancellor to reconsider his position and listen to ‘A Fair Tax on Flying campaign’, of which UKinbound is an active member. There needs to be an alternative to this double inflationary increase in the next Budget and recognition of the effect this increase will have on inbound tourism and its contribution to the economic recovery of the UK.”
ENDS
Notes to Editors
UKinbound is the only trade association that represents the UK’s inbound tourism industry including accommodation providers, inbound tour operators, destination marketing, attractions, tourism service providers and ground handlers • The primary aim of UKinbound is to help members manage successful, profitable businesses that are part of a vibrant and sustainable inbound tourism industry. The organisation achieves this by focusing on advocacy, professionalism and networking • Inbound tourism is the UK’s third largest export industry • The 29.7 million overseas visitors who came in 2009 spent £16.5 billion in the UK. These figures represent a 6.3% decline in volume and 1% (nominal) increase in value compared with 2008 • In 2009 the UK ranked seventh in the international tourism earnings league (compared with sixth in 2007) behind the USA, Spain, France, Italy, China and Germany according to UNWTO figures.
For more information or interview requests contact Anne-Marie Buckley on 020 7326 9880 or by email at anne-marie.buckley@brightergroup.com
UKinbound scathing of PM’s ‘GREAT’ campaign and calls for less words and more action
23/09/2011
Survey of members after the riots identifies immediate impact felt in the short-term but long-term barriers for inbound tourism are still main concern.
UKinbound has given a lukewarm reception to D...
UKinbound scathing of PM’s ‘GREAT’ campaign and calls for less words and more action
23/09/2011
Survey of members after the riots identifies immediate impact felt in the short-term but long-term barriers for inbound tourism are still main concern.
UKinbound has given a lukewarm reception to David Cameron’s ‘GREAT’ marketing campaign, that falls far short of the efforts needed to encourage inbound tourism into the UK.
Mary Rance, chief executive for UKinbound says, “Once again, the Government has come up with a great slogan, but no tangible measures to offset the negative perceptions potential tourists have of the UK. One month after the riots, foreign markets still have concerns and it is imperative to restore faith in the UK as a safe and secure destination and even more importantly, to ease the barriers to travel that incoming tourists still face.”
In a recent survey of UKinbound members, undertaken by Qa Research, almost 50% reported that the riots had an immediate impact within the first few days of the riots occurring, albeit to a limited extent in most cases. Examples cited included cancellations of confirmed bookings from clients overseas, particularly from markets in the Middle East, China and Germany. The student market was also, and understandably, more concerned than other parties.
However, the vast majority of members surveyed feel that the recent riots will have minimal impact on their business long term, provided there is not a reoccurrence. Over two thirds of those surveyed feel that actually, the London Olympics 2012 will have a more detrimental effect on their businesses over the next 12 months.
Mary Rance comments, “Our industry would rather see politicians’ take actions to address the barriers tourists face when trying to travel to the UK and come up with workable solutions, rather than spend so much time and effort papering over the cracks with slogans and catchphrases. It is vital that the Government and industry as a whole work together to address some of the key factors which continue to deter potential visitors from visiting the UK, namely punishing airport departure taxes, crippling rates of VAT on accommodation and other services, and cumbersome visa application processes in key emerging markets.”
Notes to Editors
UKinbound is the only trade association that represents the UK’s inbound tourism industry including accommodation providers, inbound tour operators, destination marketing, attractions, tourism service providers and ground handlers. The primary aim of UKinbound is to help members manage successful, profitable businesses that are part of a vibrant and sustainable inbound tourism industry. We achieve this by focusing on advocacy, professionalism and networking. • Inbound tourism is the UK’s third largest export industry.
The 29.7 million overseas visitors who came in 2009 spent £16.5 billion in the UK. These figures represent a 6.3% decline in volume and 1% (nominal) increase in value compared with 2008. In 2009 the UK ranked seventh in the international tourism earnings league (compared with sixth in 2007) behind the USA, Spain, France, Italy, China and Germany according to UNWTO figures.
For more contact Anne-Marie Buckley on 020 7326 9880 atanne-marie.buckley@brightergoroup.com anne-marie.buckley@brightergroup.com
Qa Research is a full service market research agency. They have a specialist division focusing on travel, tourism and leisure. Working for many of the UK’s tourism organisations, Qa conduct visitor surveys, perceptions studies, brand awareness research, marketing campaign evaluations and many ad hoc bespoke studies which include investigating the views of consumers, businesses and wider tourism stakeholders.
For more information contact Richard Bryan, Managing Director on 01904 732213 or at richardbryan@qaresearchrichard.bryan@qaresearch.co.uk or visit www.qaresearch.co.uk
UKinbound will have largest presence to date World Travel Market 2011
06/09/2011
UKinbound is coordinating its largest stand to date at World Travel Market 2011 which will be the major show case for UK inbound tourism at the exhibition.
This year 46 stand partners will exhibi...
UKinbound will have largest presence to date World Travel Market 2011
06/09/2011
UKinbound is coordinating its largest stand to date at World Travel Market 2011 which will be the major show case for UK inbound tourism at the exhibition.
This year 46 stand partners will exhibit under a coordinated UK presence provided by UKinbound.
Mary Rance, Chief Executive Ukinbound says:
‘ We are delighted to be working on behalf of our members and industry partners and coordinating a cohesive UK presence at World Travel Market. This exhibition remains a key promotional and business development opportunity for many organisations involved in inbound tourism and therefore it makes sense, given our role as a trade association to unite the industry and coordinate a joined up approach to marketing the UK as a destination ’.
‘This year we welcome on board again Visit England as a stand partner and are especially proud that Visit Scotland are working with us as an exhibition partner for the first time’.
‘We act as a hub and focal point for any trade visitors coming to World Travel Market interested in the wide range of products and destinations we have within the UK. Our stand partners tell us it makes sense to work together to represent the UK inbound industry in this way and that we provide a cost effective high profile opportunity for them to exhibit’.
Notes to Editors
UKinbound is the only trade association that represents the UK’s inbound tourism industry including accommodation providers, inbound tour operators, destination marketing, attractions, tourism service providers and ground handlers. The primary aim of UKinbound is to help members manage successful, profitable businesses that are part of a vibrant and sustainable inbound tourism industry. We achieve this by focusing on advocacy, professionalism and networking. • Inbound tourism is the UK’s third largest export industry.
The 29.7 million overseas visitors who came in 2009 spent £16.5 billion in the UK. These figures represent a 6.3% decline in volume and 1% (nominal) increase in value compared with 2008. In 2009 the UK ranked seventh in the international tourism earnings league (compared with sixth in 2007) behind the USA, Spain, France, Italy, China and Germany according to UNWTO figures For more information contact Andrew Macnair on 020 7395 7504 atandrewmacnair@ukinbound.org
Recent riots: ''most unfortunate for the global image of the UK'' but stresses these developments are not typical says UKinbound Chief Executive
09/08/2011
In response to the further riots reported in London and other parts of the UK, Mary Rance, Chief Executive UKinbound today commented:
"The Riots of the past few days, particularly in London, are ...
Recent riots: ''most unfortunate for the global image of the UK'' but stresses these developments are not typical says UKinbound Chief Executive
09/08/2011
In response to the further riots reported in London and other parts of the UK, Mary Rance, Chief Executive UKinbound today commented:
"The Riots of the past few days, particularly in London, are most unfortunate for the global image of the UK – and not just ahead of the Olympics but for the country’s short term and long term inbound tourism industry. With scenes of looting, violence and lawlessness flashing across TV screens across the globe it is absolutely vital that the Government and its agencies, as well as the UK tourism industry, work hard to put things in context. London is still one of the greatest cities in the World with an enviable record of safety. It’s important we stress that these developments are not typical".
Ends.
Notes to Editors
UKinbound is the only trade association that represents the UK’s inbound tourism industry including accommodation providers, inbound tour operators, destination marketing, attractions, tourism service providers and ground handlers. The primary aim of UKinbound is to help members manage successful, profitable businesses that are part of a vibrant and sustainable inbound tourism industry. We achieve this by focusing on advocacy, professionalism and networking. • Inbound tourism is the UK’s third largest export industry.
The 29.7 million overseas visitors who came in 2009 spent £16.5 billion in the UK. These figures represent a 6.3% decline in volume and 1% (nominal) increase in value compared with 2008. In 2009 the UK ranked seventh in the international tourism earnings league (compared with sixth in 2007) behind the USA, Spain, France, Italy, China and Germany according to UNWTO figures For more information contact Steve Dunne on 020 7326 9880 atsteve.dunne@brightergoroup.com
Tourists should not be deterred from visiting London for the 2012 Olympics following the riots in the city over the weekend
08/08/2011
Mary Rance, Chief Executive, UKinbound commented today that the riots in London over the last weekend must be seen as a flash protest and kept in context.
The riots in Tottenham, just seven miles ...
Tourists should not be deterred from visiting London for the 2012 Olympics following the riots in the city over the weekend
08/08/2011
Mary Rance, Chief Executive, UKinbound commented today that the riots in London over the last weekend must be seen as a flash protest and kept in context.
The riots in Tottenham, just seven miles from the Olympic Stadium saw widespread looting and violence, including the burning of buildings, a double-decker bus and police vehicles. Last night there was looting and violence in Brixton in south London and Enfield in north London.
“It is highly unfortunate that the riots escalated on Saturday and last night and that criminal behaviour brought such distress to the local communities. However, we are not alone in public unrest issues, as we have seen in Greece and across Europe this year,” Rance said.
She added that London remains one of the world’s safest cities and that it is an international city that is full of tourists at the peak of the summer season. “We are buzzing with international tourists. We take safety incidents very seriously but at the moment it is business as usual.”
Mayor of London Boris Johnson also insisted that London still remained a safe city and urged people not to let the rioting put tourists off from visiting the capital ahead of the 2012 Olympics.
“London is one of the friendliest and safest cities in the world compared with cities such as Amsterdam, Paris and New York. People will come to London next year and will have a great games because we’ve put on the greatest show on earth.”
For further infromation, please select the below link:
http://www.ttgdigital.com/news/dont-let-riots-deter-you-from-london-says-tourism-chief/4681269.article
Hoteliers’ group denies Olympic profiteering
07/04/2011
Hospitality and Olympic officials met in London on Friday to review measures to keep down the rates for London hotel rooms around the time of the 2012 Games, amid claims by wholesale room distributors...
Hoteliers’ group denies Olympic profiteering
07/04/2011
Hospitality and Olympic officials met in London on Friday to review measures to keep down the rates for London hotel rooms around the time of the 2012 Games, amid claims by wholesale room distributors of profiteering.
The British Hospitality Association issued a statement denying London hoteliers were seeking to unfairly profit from the Olympics. Boris Johnson, London mayor, last week dubbed those hotels raising room rates “short-sighted Arthur Daleys” who risked damaging London’s tourism industry for years to come.
UKinbound, the trade association for companies arranging tours, claimed some hotels were demanding up to five times normal rates during the Olympic period, while others were laying out onerous terms and conditions. After meeting the London organising committee (Locog), the BHA reiterated that under agreements hammered out after London was awarded the Games in 2005, room rates would be fair and reasonable for the 56,000 rooms allocated to Locog.
An agreed formula restricts hotels from increasing prices beyond the average rate in London between 2007 and 2010. “Without exception, the prices charged by the hotels that are part of the Locog agreement are at a rate which is fair and reasonable,” said Ufi Ibrahim, the BHA’s chief executive.
However, BHA officials acknowledged that the 56,000 rooms obtained by Locog made up only 40 per cent of London’s stock.
Mario Bodini, general secretary of UKinbound, and chief executive of JacTravel, a provider of wholesale accommodation, said: “At present, rates in the wholesale market for the Games period in 2012 are vastly inflated and the terms of business we are being offered are so punitive that we can’t risk signing contracts on that basis.”
UKINBOUND’S RESPONSE TO THE CHANCELLOR’S “BUDGET FOR GROWTH”
23/03/2011
“This year, the budget has been heralded as one for growth. It emerges however, that growth forecasts have been downgraded in the announcement.
Tourism is one of the five identified industries k...
UKINBOUND’S RESPONSE TO THE CHANCELLOR’S “BUDGET FOR GROWTH”
23/03/2011
“This year, the budget has been heralded as one for growth. It emerges however, that growth forecasts have been downgraded in the announcement.
Tourism is one of the five identified industries key to promoting economic growth and inbound tourism specifically, is recognised as the third largest exporter. However, inbound tourism, challenged with delivering an additional 4 million visitors over the next four years, receives no special measures or investment support on behalf of the government to stimulate growth.
The delay in any increase in APD to 2012 is a small measure to halt the further decline in the competitiveness of the UK as a destination and particularly so in light of the fact that there will be a double inflationary rise in April 2012 which is a disastrous move given the important events of that year, namely, the Olympics and the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee.
The APD freeze will simply not be sufficient in itself to move the UK up the rankings to become one of the top five destinations in the world. The UK still taxes travel at a much higher level than any other European country. The Chancellor is sticking a plaster on the wound.
The announcement of a consultation on the banding system for APD is a first step towards achieving greater equity in the taxation structure, which particularly penalises our long haul and emerging markets from which the government covets future growth in inbound tourism. The real impact on any change in the structure however will not translate to growth in visitor numbers for some considerable time.”
Mary Rance - Chief Executive, UKinbound
Tourism Industry Unites to call for a Fair Tax on Flying UK Holidaymakers Pay By Far the Highest Flight Tax in Europe, Two thirds of consumers think
03/03/2011
The leading names in the UK travel and tourism industry have today announced they are uniting for the first time behind a campaign calling for a Fair Tax on Flying from the UK Government.
With fu...
Tourism Industry Unites to call for a Fair Tax on Flying UK Holidaymakers Pay By Far the Highest Flight Tax in Europe, Two thirds of consumers think
03/03/2011
The leading names in the UK travel and tourism industry have today announced they are uniting for the first time behind a campaign calling for a Fair Tax on Flying from the UK Government.
With fuel prices reaching record levels this week, the campaign is calling on the Government to halt any further rises in aviation tax, with revenue from Air Passenger Duty (APD) having increased by 2600% since it was first introduced in 1994. This year £2.2 billion of holidaymakers’ and business travellers’ money will pour into the Treasury’s coffers. The Government has stated that it intends to raise the tax by a further £1.4 billion by 2015.
In a new survey conducted by ComRes for ABTA, who is spearheading the Fair Tax on Flying campaign, the British public has overwhelmingly indicated that the current level of taxation is “too much”. Almost two thirds of consumers [63%] believe the current level is too high, 21% say it is at about the right level, and only 5% think it is too low¹. Moves to further increase the rate of aviation tax are therefore likely to be met with significant consumer opposition.
In an open letter to the Chancellor, George Osborne, the campaign sets “Five Tests” of fairness for him to take into account as he prepares his March Budget. Today it launches a social media campaign, inviting members of the public to sign up and get behind the call for a Fair Tax on Flying (www.facebook.com/afairtaxonflying).
Holidaymakers or business travellers flying from the UK pay by far the highest levels of flight tax in Europe. Five European countries currently levy versions of an aviation tax but all at significantly lower rates than the UK. For example, a family of four flying from the UK to Florida pay £240 in flight tax while if they fly to Australia they can expect to pay an eye-watering £340. That compares with just £11 for an Irish family flying to the same destinations or £15 for a French family. Even on European flights, UK passengers are being stung: a British family pays twelve times as much in tax as a French family.
Additional research commissioned by ABTA shows that three in four air passengers have no idea how much tax they’re paying.² It is thought this lack of awareness among consumers has left the door open for the Government to introduce successive increases. All APD rates paid by passengers were doubled in 2007, and massive rises hit passengers again in 2009 and 2010.
Also worrying is the impact that the increasing level of aviation tax is having on the UK economy. Since 2007, when the Government began introducing a series of significant hikes in the tax, air passenger numbers from the UK have fallen by 22% from more than 81 million per annum in 2007 to 63 million per annum in 2010. Heathrow Airport, our busiest and main international hub, has fallen from 1st to 5th place in Europe in terms of destinations served in the last twenty years. As visitors to the UK are liable to pay the tax when they fly home it is feared that holidaymakers and business travellers may simply by-pass the UK altogether, an issue of real concern in the run-up to the 2012 Olympics. Governments in Denmark, Sweden, Malta and the Netherlands have all axed their versions of aviation tax after assessing the negative economic impacts on their economies.
Mary Rance, UKinbound, Chief Executive:
“We feel that it is vital for UKinbound to join forces with colleagues in the inbound and indeed outbound industries to stand united against this damaging tax, which only works to make the UK uncompetitive and unattractive as a destination. It acts directly against the wider objective of making the UK one of the top five tourism countries and is certainly a barrier to growth in inbound tourism, the third largest export industry to the UK. Our contribution to the UK economy could be even greater with a fairer tax on aviation.”
