VISITBRITAIN, the national tourist office of the UK, showcased some of Britain’s top travel and tourism products as a preview for the summer 2009 holiday season.
“ATM provides VisitBritain with the ideal platform to promote and share some of Britain’s latest tourism developments. ATM has always been a major travel trade event for us to reinforce our commitment to the Middle East as a priority market,” said Carol Maddison, marketing manager for VisitBritain, UAE.
Key British companies at the show included the UK Border Agency, One NorthEast, Turnberry Scotland, Camp Beaumont, Lancaster Landmark Hotel, Park Plaza Hotels, The Bond Street Association, Radisson The Mayfair Hotel and the Aviator Hotel in Farnborough.
One NorthEast is recognised as the official tourism support process for North East England by VisitBritain.
According to Jackie Colton, visa services operations manager, Iran and the Gulf States, UK Border Agency International Group at the British Embassy Dubai, there has been a continuing increase in the number of UK visas issued across the Gulf region, with applications up 15 per cent in Kuwait and 40 per cent in Saudi Arabia over the past 12 months.
The UK Border Agency is expanding the visa application centres in Abu Dhabi, Dubai, Riyadh and Jeddah, to incorporate more space for premium customers.
VisitBritain promoted new regions in the UK and campaigns including the ‘Homecoming 2009’, a Scottish government initiative in partnership with VisitScotland which offers travellers Scottish holiday options for 2009.
The ‘Good Value’ campaign was also launched. Due to the pound’s drop in value, VisitBritain lays strong emphasis on Britain’s new affordability since the exchange rates have never been better for Middle East travellers.