tourism APD plans queried by industry


The government’s think- ing towards the UK tourism industry is “confused”, accord- ing to Tourism Alliance. It follows chancellor George


Osborne’s Autumn Statement, which confirmed an increase in Air Passenger Duty (APD) at double the rate of inflation – effective from April – will be pursued, with details to be outlined on 6 December. However, Tourism Alliance


questioned the government’s vision for the sector when the announcement came three weeks aſter VisitBritain was allocated £27m worth of additional funding to help increase overseas visitors numbers by 4.6 million, which would be worth at least £2.6bn to the UK economy. Tourism Alliance said pursuing the APD


Tourism Alliance said the APD hike showed government ‘inconsistency’


stated in his speech that now was not a time to increase environmental taxes to the detri- ment of creating jobs in UK businesses. “Yet tourism is already one of the UK’s big-


increase showed ‘inconsistency’. Chair Brigid Simmonds said: “The chancellor himself


gest export industries contributing £19bn per annum in revenue for the UK economy and supporting 380,000 jobs.”


New marketing company to be created for Blackpool


Blackpool Council has formally agreed to establish a new marketing company designed to maximise private sector involvement in the promotion of the famous Lancashire resort. Members of the full council have backed the creation of Marketing Blackpool, which will


result in staff from visitBlackpool being sec- onded into the new organisation. With a budget of £1.9m, the new Marketing


Blackpool company will be responsible for pro- moting the resort to potential visitors and the provision of a visitor information service.


UK delegation targets Chinese potential


A “high-powered” UK delega- tion has embarked on a trip to China in a bid to capitalise on one of the world’s most valu- able source markets. VisitBritain is heading up


the delegation, which incor- porates national and regional tourist boards; tourist and city attraction organisations; hotel chains; and tour operators. Te mission includes stops


in Beijing, Shanghai and Hong Kong, with business-to-busi- ness appointments scheduled in a bid to capture business. VisitBritain strategy and


leisure media sTudIo


Industry-leading marketing and design services


With more than 30 years’ experience, leisure media studio will work with you to create bespoke print and web solutions to power your marketing


w Web design w Email marketing w Contract publishing w Graphic design w Digital turning pages w Image retouching w Illustration w Advertising design w Direct mail w Print


LET US QUOTE YOU Contact Tim Nash Te delegation is looking to capitalise on Far Eastern growth markets


communications director Patricia Yates said: “Te recent Nation Brands Index shows that the UK is the number one ‘aspirational’ destination for Chinese travellers, drawn here by our rich culture and heritage.


© CYBERTREK 2011 “[It] allows us to showcase the range of expe-


riences that Britain has to offer and are essential if Britain is to compete effectively for the grow- ing number of affluent Chinese travellers.”


Twitter: @leisureopps Read Leisure Opportunities online: www.leisureopportunities.co.uk/digital 7


Tel +44 (0)1462 471917 timnash@leisuremedia.com


image: oleg v. ivanov/shutterstock.com


Page 1  |  Page 2  |  Page 3  |  Page 4  |  Page 5  |  Page 6  |  Page 7  |  Page 8  |  Page 9  |  Page 10  |  Page 11  |  Page 12  |  Page 13  |  Page 14  |  Page 15  |  Page 16  |  Page 17  |  Page 18  |  Page 19  |  Page 20  |  Page 21  |  Page 22  |  Page 23  |  Page 24