Ordnance Survey – Great Britain's national mapping agency

VisitBritain: more funding for Olympics

22 October 2007

VisitBritain has applied for more government funding to help boost tourism in the UK.
 
The tourist agency wants the extra funds to promote the UK’s main attractions in the run-up to the 2012 Olympic Games.
 
Christopher Rodrigues, Chairman of VisitBritain, spoke out about the organisation’s request as the Department for Culture, Media and Sport prepared to announce its funding plans for the next three years.
 
He said: ‘Without proper marketing support, Britain will inevitably suffer as other nations, which do recognise the importance of their visitor economies, go all out to welcome the world.
 
‘Now the Department for Culture, Media and Sport has won additional funding from the Treasury in the recent Comprehensive Spending Review, it has a once in a generation opportunity to promote this vital and valuable sector of the economy.
 
VisitBritain will use the funds to promote the UK in the ‘new growth’ markets of Asia, especially India, as part of the Olympic exploitation programme.
 
The Republic of Ireland has recently announced plans to invest 800 million euros (£557 million) in its tourism sector over the next six years.

• Harrogate’s historic Starbeck Baths saved
  Harrogate’s historic Starbeck Baths have been rescued by a £760 000 cash injection to save them from closure. The funds will be spent over a 10-year period to regenerate the Victorian baths, which are a popular tourist attraction for those on days out in the area.
• English Heritage® offers unique holiday ideas
  Government advisory body on the historic environment is offering unique holiday ideas for Brits heading off over the autumn and winter seasons.
• Free art workshops in Ilkley
  Art workshops inspired by the work of Leeds-born artist Norman Ackroyd are to be held for free in Ilkley.