“Australia remains a billion-pound market for Britain”, says VisitBritain CEO
In VisitBritain’s recently-released research on inbound tourism for 2018, Australia remains 10th largest in terms of visitor arrivals, a position it has held since 2012, but has dropped one spot to fifth in terms of value.
However, VisitBritain CEO Sally Balcombe has reiterated that Australia remains an extremely important market for UK tourism.
“Australia remains a billion-pound market for Britain,” she told Travel Weekly.
“In a strongly-contested field, the Spanish market pulled slightly ahead of Australia for spending in 2018. Nonetheless, Australia continues to deliver five per cent of global visitor spend for the UK and has generated more than £1 billion annually since 2011.”
“We continue to invest in the VisitBritain team in Australia and our partnerships in the market remain as vital as ever.
“In 2019, campaigns with Flight Centre, Helloworld and the airlines will amplify our marketing reach and convert the aspiration to visit the UK into actual bookings, showing how accessible our nations and regions are, and telling the stories of destinations.”
In its 50th anniversary year of promoting Britain to the world, the original heritage and landscape marketing focus in 1969 has evolved to include global sporting events like the current ICC Cricket World Cup in England and Wales; big screen and TV and film set tours for blockbusters such as Game of Thrones through Northern Ireland or the Warner Bros Studio tour – the making of Harry Potter in Watford; a single malt whiskey trail through Scotland; adventure activities in Snowdonia; and individual county and country destinations.
England is in its final year of its three-year, £40 million Discover England Fund, providing grants to 66 projects, resulting in 1,000 new tourism products and another thousand products reimagined.
These aim to extend the holidays of the more than 50 per cent of visitors to England who visit London only and represent a huge investment across England in creating interesting, niche and broad-based tourism products to welcome and inspire more visitors.
VisitScotland describes Dundee as a city to watch, with the new Victoria and Albert Dundee Museum of Design, located on the waterfront in an impressive building designed by Kengo Kuma, opening nine months ago.
It also proudly announced the declaration of Britain’s first Dark Sky Park for star gazing, the Storybook Trail for lovers of children’s books from Peter Pan to Harry Potter, and the Caledonian Sleeper train from Scotland to London overnight with double beds and many improved features.
Three new whiskey distilleries have just opened, including the £100 million Macallan Distillery in Speyside in the country’s northeast. Scotland’s whiskey manufacturers now also produce 70 per cent of Britain’s booming gin market.
Tourism Northern Ireland continues to benefit from the 26 locations where Game of Thrones fans flock, while Belfast is home to Titanic Belfast – a global tourist attraction devoted to the building and ill-fated maiden voyage of the Titanic.
By 2020, 10,000 hotel rooms will be available in Northern Ireland, with an extra 1,000 already added in 2018.
This year is VisitWales’ ‘Year of Discovery’, featuring three special tourist routes: The North Wales Way, from Holyhead to Broughton; The Cambrian Way, from Llandudno in the north to Cardiff in the south; and The Coastal Way, from Aberdaron to St David’s, down Wales’ west coast.
Travel Weekly visited North Wales in May, and the area has been reinvigorated by adventure tourism supported by excellent infrastructure and the Snowdonia area’s natural beauty.
Email the Travel Weekly team at traveldesk@travelweekly.com.au
great britain sally balcombe uk visitbritainLatest News
Australia fails to make top 10 destination list for American travellers
Australia's top cities have failed to make the grade with American travellers this northern summer, with no local city in the top.
APT Launches 2025 Asia Adventures
APT has launched its Asia Adventures for 2025, including new luxury holidays in India, Sri Lanka and Japan. Five new tours lead guests to the highlights of India, including a seven-night cruise along the rarely travelled Lower Ganges aboard the Ganges Voyager. Further south, Sri Lanka’s greatest destinations are revealed on a new 15-day Land […]
ANZAC Battlefield travel on the 2025 bucketlist
As Anzac Day dawns, agents prepare for a surge in bookings for the 110th anniversary of the Anzac Cove landings.
Former Channel 9 Getaway host and founder of TRIBE Jules Lund to speak at Travel DAZE
From blond-tipped travel reporter to Travel DAZE speaker, Jules Lund cuts through the BS.
HX’s Roald Amundsen finds aliens in the Antarctic
Forget whales, HX's MS Roald Amundsen captures aliens in the Antarctic - and they're not pretty.
Mayhem in France as 70% of flights face cancellation
I mean it wouldn't be France if there wasn't at least one strike.
Etihad Airways launches double-decker service with world’s only in-air three-room suite
We imagine falling asleep in the three-room suite is superior to falling asleep on your neighbour's shoulder.
Norwegian Cruise Line launches 2024 Europe travel season
Europe certainly has a lot of ports. Its time for Australia to up its game.
“The power of travel for positive change” – Intrepid’s Jenny Gray hails controversial all-women Saudi Arabia trip
There is an awful lot to love about this tour from Intrepid. Where do we sign up?
Princess names the Sun, unveils Sanctuary Collection + Star Princess to Alaska in ’26
A huge bottle of Veuve was smashed into the side of the ship to make things official. So no, we couldn't snag a glass.
Collette special offers across peak northern summer season
If you are craving a trip to Europe then grab this deal with both of your grubby hands.
Air India and All Nippon codeshare between the two countries
Here at TW we agreed that the photo would have worked better if they had swapped planes.
A&K offers minimum 18 weeks paid parental leave
Contrary to what the photo suggests this benefit is only applicable for humans. Back to work Mrs Jumbo.
NH Hotel Group rebrands as Minor Hotels Europe & Americas
Hang around the bends of the hotels. We imagine they will be full of a lot of branded content.
Scenic Eclipse II – the business of creating unforgettable life-changing memories
These cruise brothers from another mother offer a view of cruising on Scenic Eclipse II that is poles apart.
MSC builds new hospital ship with Mercy Ships
If you want to read a story that puts a smile on your face then this is the one for you.
“I peed on myself watching this” – Social media users squirm at Royal Caribbean’s Harmony of The Seas 55ft dive video
TW is not responsible for any involuntary actions your body might have after watching this video.
FLIGHT REVIEW: Qantas Boeing 787 Dreamliner business class
The real bonus is you're unlikely to be around screaming children. Hoorah!
Traveltek offers travel agents new rapid deploy cruise website
As always, if you have any issue with the platform, just turn it off and on again.
Experience whale watching & classical music at the Australian Festival of Chamber Music in Townsville
Disappointedly, the whales do not start singing in tune with the orchestra. Opportunity missed.
Fond, very Fond. London hotel famed for James Bond link adds ‘Classic Comforts’ lunch menu
James Bond author Ian Fleming was so fond if this hotel, it inspired the legendary phrase ‘shaken, not stirred’.
What sets Eclipse Travel apart with Africa expert Hilary Dubyk: Travel Weekly TV
If you want to know more about Africa, then Hilary Dubyk is your person.
Surge in Australians visiting Japan
Feel like all of your friends have just returned from Europe? Now it's Japan.
Seabourn announces Western Kimberley Traditional Owners as Godparents of Seabourn Pursuit
Seabourn has named Western Kimberley Traditional Owners, the Wunambal Gaambera, as Godparents of the ultra-luxury purpose-built Seabourn Pursuit. It is the first cruise line to appoint Traditional Owners as godparents of a ship. Seabourn Pursuit embarks on its inaugural season in the Kimberley region this June. The naming ceremony will take place on Seabourn Pursuit’s […]
Sydney named 17th best place to work remotely
If you struggle to get a seat within Sydney's coffee shops, you now know why.
W Melbourne grows sales team
We appreciate the thought that has gone into this team photo.
Cunard welcomes new ship Queen Anne
This might be the most impressive ship handover in ship handover history.
Intrepid Travel appoints Yvette Thompson as general manager sales & marketing ANZ
It isn't end-of-day Monday and Yvette Thompson has already nabbed herself an impressive promotion.
Anna Fawcett re-joins Global Touring in newly-created APAC role
With such an impressive CV, Global Touring is no doubt thrilled to have Fawcett back.
“We know our response has been far from perfect” – Emirates’ open letter following Dubai flooding
If you also need to write an apology letter, then this is a pretty good template.
Malolo Island Resort opens brand new Spa
Fiji’s Malolo Island has added another string to its bow – opening its $1.3 million day spa on Thursday, 18th April 2024. (Lead Image: matriarch Rosie Whitton with spa staff) Located at the edge of the resort’s luscious patch of tropical rainforest, the new “Leilani’s Spa” adds another level of elevated experiences to Malolo’s already […]
Virgin Australia’s HILARIOUS second instalment of the ‘Bring on Wonderful’ campaign
We don't use the word 'hilarious' lightly, but this is worthy of the title.
Visit Sunshine Coast reveals new brand identity
If you were looking for another reason to visit the Sunshine Coast then this is it.
Sofitel launches brand campaign starring Sex Education’s Gillian Anderson
We can confirm the content of this video is less spicy than Sex Education.
Holland America Line gives agents the chance to visit Alaska on 11-day Famil
If you've ever wanted to see a Polar Bear (and who doesn't?), now is your time.
More than 65 luxury agents gather in Sydney for Best of the Best dinner
This looks like a fabulous do. We imagine there may be a few (or maybe 65) sore heads this morning!