‘See Things Differently’: With VisitBritain’s mesmerising travel itinerary

Friday, November 4, 2022

It is safe to say that Britain is making an impressive recovery from the pandemic shadow. In a candid interaction with Travel and Tour World, Vishal Bhatia, VisitBritain talks about the current tourism affairs in Britain after the tragic demise of Her Late Majesty Queen Elizabeth II. The country’s inbound and outbound travel as well as WTM 2022 post Covid-19 were also elucidated on.

Global media has set its eye and facilitated a show on the magnificent pomp and pageantry against the backdrop of some of the most iconic sites, including Buckingham Palace, Westminster Abbey and Windsor Castle. A huge pent-up demand has gathered attention for travel, in exploring Britain’s history and heritage around the time of Coronation of King Charles III: and the grand, world-renowned cultural show around it.

Rebuilding a sustainable, competitive and accessible industry
According to research by VisitBritain, the UK receives approximately 11 million foreign visitors each year who spend a combined £9 billion visiting castles and historical buildings. With around three million visits in 2019, before the outbreak, the Tower of London was the most popular “paid” attraction in England. A global audience of hundreds of millions of people watched the official celebrations for Her Late Majesty Queen Elizabeth II’s historic Platinum Jubilee earlier this year, which also put Britain’s renowned heritage, royal legacy, pomp, and pageantry in the international spotlight while showcasing their hospitality, creativity, and warm welcome to the rest of the world.

The inbound tourism forecast 2022 has also been upgraded anticipating a stronger than expected start to the year. A prime factor driving this recovery has been better seat capacity and airline route development, a key part of VisitBritain’s competitive tourism offer to visitors.

With a value to the economy of more than £28 billion in 2019, inbound tourism is one of the UK’s most lucrative export sectors and its third-largest service export. In terms of VisitBritain’s most recent estimate, there will be 26.7 million foreign visitors to the UK overall this year, which is 65% more than in 2019, and they will spend £21.6 billion, which is 76% more than in 2019. This forecast is an improvement over the prior one. Flight arrivals and reservations to Britain from North America are approaching pre-pandemic levels, making it one of the markets that has recovered the fastest. On the whole, it is noteworthy how the tourism sector is picking up its pace even faster than the pre-pandemic era.

One of the fastest markets to recover
After two years of a gruelling pandemic, WTM 2022 is garnering all the spotlight and the industry players are pulling out all the stops to make it a grand success. As a partner of UKinbound and a member of the official UK Pavilion, VisitBritain is very much living up to the expectations; all prepped up for the current World Travel Market in November. They intend to assist British travel vendors in connecting with foreign consumers and tour operators, especially those from India, in order to promote the newest travel wares and experiences. It is also planned to diversify travel plans by enticing guests to stay longer, explore more, and increase visits during shoulder seasons while also promoting local economies and companies. Supporting the goals outlined in the UK Government’s Tourism Recovery Plan is a key focus for VisitBritain, from promoting regional dispersal to sharing resources and best practices with businesses to collaborating with the sector on itineraries that support sustainable and responsible tourism. This commitment to rebuilding an industry that is more sustainable, accessible, and competitive is highlighted. They are working to make sure that tourists perceive Britain as a country that values sustainable travel.

By portraying its emblems with a surprising twist in telling the tale of the country’s vibrant and diverse cities, VisitBritain’s international marketing campaign – to “See Things Differently,” aims to position Britain as a dynamic, adventurous, and inclusive destination.

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