Overseas buyers lined up for UK and Ireland tourism show

Buyers from more than 30 countries have signed up to attend next month's Best of Britain & Ireland Travel Trade Forum in London.

Countries to be represented include Austria, Australia, Brazil, Canada, China, France, Hong Kong, India, Italy, Japan, Russia, South Africa UAE and the US.

An additional 100 overseas buyers are expected to attend the event independently of VisitBritain.

The Best of Britain Travel Trade Forum is organised in partnership with the national tourism agency.

Show organisers are encouraging domestic tourism businesses to take advantage of overseas trade buyers visiting the show on March 26-27 at ExCel as the weak pound offers a spur to inbound tourism.

VisitBritain marketing director Mike Bedingfield said: "Britain has never been more affordable for overseas visitors and it is vital that we support the trade to make the most of this opportunity in the current economic climate.

"VisitBritain is delivering over 235 buyers from a wide range of lucrative international markets to the Best of Britain & Ireland Travel Trade Forum and we are encouraging everyone involved in the domestic tourism industry to exhibit and attend, so that they can network and sell to people with real spending power."

Many visitors will be taking pre and post-show familiarisation visits organised by VisitBritain, taking in the four nations and the regions of England to receive first-hand experience of some of the attractions services and destinations they will be seeing at the event.

*To register for the event visit www.britainandirelandevent.co.uk/registration, email info@bobevents.co.uk or call +44 (0) 1883 333 195.

Report by Phil Davies Travel Mole website.

Published: 23.2.2009