Blackpool Targets Group Travel Operators

Group travel organisers are being targeted by Blackpool’s tourism bosses in their latest bid to attract more visitors.

Destinations from across the UK will attend the Best of Britain and Ireland (BoBI) show in Birmingham next week and representatives from VisitBlackpool are hoping to gain new business for the resort.

And it is hoped the two-day event will be useful for leisure and business tourism as the traditionally leisure-based event is widening its appeal by encouraging destinations to promote their business and conference offer too.

The VisitBlackpool stand will be one of almost 300 destinations and attractions on show at the event which will be attended by around 3,000 representatives from the travel trade including group travel, coach and tour operators and wholesalers.

VisitBlackpool Tourism Manager Mandy Tythe-McCallum said it is vital for Blackpool to have a presence at events such as BoBI.

Mandy said: “This is the first time we will have been to BoBI for a couple of years and we are really looking forward to showcasing our resort to as many people from the UK travel industry as possible.

“This is the UK’s leading domestic tourism show and it gives us the opportunity to talk about Blackpool’s regeneration and forthcoming events such as the launch of the new Illuminasia attraction and the international tour of Mamma Mia! coming here for a season this year.

“The fact that BoBI is open to business tourism for the first time is also a real plus for us because it gives us the added chance of talking about our great conference and meetings offer as well as our incredibly popular leisure industry.”

Best of Britain & Ireland has established itself as the premier, annual trade show for domestic tourism and business events; an event focussed on helping exhibitors develop and expand their businesses. There is no other domestic event in the industry calendar dedicated exclusively to attracting suppliers covering the travel and trade, conference and meetings sectors looking to source new venues, destinations, attractions and ideas.

In recent months VisitBlackpool has been represented at the World Travel Market in London, a MyVenues “Speed Dating” event and Dublin Holiday World as well as hosting the UKinbound conference in Blackpool.

Cllr Graham Cain, Blackpool Council Cabinet Member for Tourism and Leisure, added: “These events are essential in helping Blackpool maintain its high profile and hopefully increase it further to operators who may not have been for some time or even to those who would not normally consider adding us to their itineraries.”

BoBI takes place at Birmingham’s NEC between Wednesday 12 and Thursday 13 March.