toUrism UK tourism sector worth £101bn


Te UK tourism sector con- tributes more to the economy than car manufacturing or mining, according to research from the World Travel and Tourism Council (WTTC). Te report – sponsored by


American Express and com- piled by Oxford Economics – found that the travel and tourism sector’s worth to gross domestic product (GDP) last year was worth £101bn. Te figure is 6.7 per cent


of the UK’s total GDP – com- pared with 2.3 per cent for car manufacturing; 1.9 per cent for mining; and 4.1 per cent for chemicals. Meanwhile, travel and tourism in the UK is


UK travel/tourism’s growth is expected to outpace the overall economy


expected grow at a faster rate than the overall economy over the next decade. WTTC president and CEO David Scowsill


said: “We have always known that travel and tourism is a vast contributor to economic


growth. These figures bear out just how significant our industry is for the UK.” However, Scowsill added that air passenger


duty and high VAT rates are making the sector uncompetitive and called on the government to “sit up and take notice” of its potential. Details: http://lei.sr?a=G6x7R


Ireland to target Londoners in Olympics campaign


Tourism Ireland has confirmed it will be tar- geting millions of Londoners this month in a bid to promote the country as a “hassle-free holiday” away from the 2012 Games. Escape Te Madness will present Ireland as the ideal “escape” destination for people living


in London and is the first phase of a €500,000 (£404,000) Games-time campaign. Tourism Ireland’s Niall Gibbons said: “Te


Olympic Games present a unique opportunity to showcase the island of Ireland.” Details: http://lei.sr?a=a8Y3r


UKinbound calls for visa process revamp


UKinbound has called on the government to make “imme- diate and significant cuts” to visa application processing times to drive future growth. It comes as the organisation


revealed the results of its first Business Barometer, a new survey carried out alongside Qa Research to gauge mem- bers’ level of business. According to the results,


UKinbound members fear that bookings and visitor numbers will decline due to the “prolonged and drawn out visa process” for tourists. UKinbound chief executive


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 UKinbound members have raised fears over the visa application process


Mary Rance said: “Despite wanting to come to the UK, [tourists] are travelling to France, Germany and Italy where tourist visas are eas- ier to obtain. Tese countries are reaping the


© CYBERTREK 2012


rewards while our government sits back believ- ing that the Olympic legacy alone will continue to grow visitor numbers.” Details: http://lei.sr?a=p5V7C


Twitter: @leisureopps


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


Read Leisure Opportunities online: www.leisureopportunities.co.uk/digital 13


image: stuart monk/shutterstock.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