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Most UK tour operators enjoyed a very good summer and are more optimistic about the future than they have been for a long time, according to UKinbound, which represents the interests of the UK’s inbound tourism businesses.
As the world converges on London this week for World Travel Market, UKinbound – which has 40 UK partners on its stand – reports that its members are buoyant and determined to make 2012 a successful year.
The trade association – whose own membership has grown by a record 25% this year – said that the proliferation of good value product and the buzz around the 2012 Olympics is helping to put Britain back on the map of must visit and keep visiting destinations.
The future is not without serious challenges however. Potential barriers to growth include the rise in aviation taxation, which could seriously hinder the UK’s competitiveness, as well as uncertainties surrounding the Government’s forthcoming tourism strategy. UKinbound is also working in partnership with a number of organisations – including VisitBritain, Visit London and ETOA – to counter misconceptions that Britain (and particularly London) might be too busy or expensive to visit in 2012.
“There has been much scaremongering about the Olympic effect,” said Mary Rance, UKinbound chief executive. “But the UK is completely different from previous host countries, both in terms of our ease of access and our intrinsic strengths, while the infrastructure improvements generated by the 2012 Games will make us even more attractive in the long term. We have more than enough capacity here and we need to reassure potential visitors that they can enjoy this fantastic, dynamic destination just as much in 2012, if not even more so.”
Early next year UKinbound will convene a forum of some of the UK’s leading hoteliers and tour operators to drive the message home and agree a plan of action that will secure future business.
Theodore is the Co-Founder and Managing Editor of TravelDailyNews Media Network; his responsibilities include business development and planning for TravelDailyNews long-term opportunities.
