National tourism agency, VisitBritain, has welcomed the announcement of official plans for the handover ceremony at the close of the Beijing Olympic Games on 24 August 2008.
 
As well as celebrations in Beijing and the UK organised by the London Organising Committee of the Olympic Games (LOCOG), VisitBritain is making its own preparations to maximise awareness of the whole of Britain ahead of the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games.
 
VisitBritain chief executive, Tom Wright, says: “The Beijing Olympic Games and the official handover of the Olympic flag to London represent a huge opportunity for us to celebrate around the world, London and Britain becoming the next host city and nation.
 
“It is a chance to invite potential visitors to experience the quality and variety of destinations, attractions and events in Britain and tell them of the warm welcome they will receive. We will give audiences a taste of what they can expect from Britain over the coming four years, in 2012 and beyond.”
 
As well as promoting official handover events to millions of visitors in Britain through its website, enjoyengland.com, a number of VisitBritain’s offices around the world will be hosting their own events for the travel trade and media. They will celebrate the start of Britain’s four-year Cultural Olympiad at embassies and high commissions, particularly in the UAE, China, India and Asia.
 
VisitBritain has commissioned a new film, which launches in time for Beijing and showcases Britain as the home of sport, and sporting events and destinations, and will be shown at events in the UK and overseas. Alongside the British Council, the Foreign & Commonwealth Office and UK Trade & Investment, it is also creating a handover toolkit, which will be used to promote Britain from 24 August.
 
VisitBritain’s plans for the handover follow its presence in Beijing when it will lead a delegation from Britain’s national and regional tourism organisations to attend a ‘Britain for Sport’ event and promote their destinations for Pre-Games Training Camps. Other events held in Beijing and Hong Kong promote Britain as one of the world’s leading business destinations and aim to remind the Chinese travel trade and media of the close links between the two countries, and the variety of tourism experiences that can be enjoyed.