VisitBritain Convenes Canadian Travel Partners for London 2012 Olympic
Marketing Plans

For media information about travel to Britain:  www.visitbritain.com/mediaroom

For access to VisitBritain's free image library:  www.visitbritainimages.com

TORONTO, Oct 5 /CNW/ - Key members of Canada's tourism industry, including operators and media, will gather on Thursday, October 7 to learn how to boost business by leveraging the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games. Among the highlights of Britain Marketplace - VisitBritain's annual Canadian tradeshow - is a presentation by Chris Foy, VisitBritain's Head of 2012 Games Unit. Foy's remarks will equip members of Canada's tourism industry with the tools to harness Canadians' excitement for all things Olympic since Vancouver 2010.

"VisitBritain and the tourism industry have been working earnestly to maximize the impact of the Games, before, during and after their delivery," says Foy. "I look forward to sharing our initiatives, from fair pricing to displacement to resources, with our Canadian partners to best equip them to fulfil their business objectives."

The presentation will conclude Britain Marketplace, a one-stop-shop opportunity for over forty British tourism providers to meet directly with key decision makers, including Canadian tour operators and travel media. The day of meetings provides a platform to establish and enhance key relationships and cement international business partnerships.

"There is tremendous potential for the travel industry here to reap the rewards of Canadians eager to visit Britain to feel the Olympic buzz again," says Simon Bradley, VisitBritain's Executive Vice President, Americas. "This is not just about the period of the Games but a three year program of marketing and awareness that starts now. The Canadian market is vitally important to Britain's tourism industry and we are here to transform the potential for business into reality."

In preparing for the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games destination marketing program, VisitBritain is assisted regularly, both formally and informally, by staff at the Canadian Tourism Commission. The dialogue between the two national tourism marketing organizations provides VisitBritain with valuable insights to capitalize on hosting the world's largest multi-sport event.

Britain Marketplace is hosted Thursday, October 7, 2010 at the Hyatt Regency Toronto. The London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games presentation will begin at 5:20 pm.

About VisitBritain:

• Canadians made 685,000 visits to Britain in 2009 and spent Cndn $659 million (GBP £404 million) - making Britain the fifth most popular outbound destination overall for Canadians and the second most popular long haul destination.
• Today, the UK offers value vacations with a historically low exchange rate of 1.63.
• VisitBritain, the national tourism agency, is responsible for inspiring the world to explore Britain and for developing the UK's visitor economy. With representatives in 35 countries around the world, we are the international tourism promotional arm for Britain and the nations and regions of Britain.

For further information:

VisitBritain Media Contact for more information or access to Britain Marketplace:

Ted Flett, PR & Communications Manager - Canada
416-646-6676 or (mobile) 647-202-4184
[email protected]  
160 Bloor Street East, Suite 905, Toronto, Ontario M4W 1B9