The organiser of the British Tourism & Travel Show 2018 has announced that visitor numbers were up by 10% compared to 2017.
Diversifed Communications says that the event, which took place at the NEC in Birmingham on 21 and 22 March, welcomed 2,866 attendees. The official show catalogue indicated the number of exhibiting companies to be around 250. The company says the final number was more than 270.
“The show was a fantastic success,” says David Maguire, event director. “The buzz on site was electric this year, with an array of pop up entertainment performances surprising visitors, coupled with over 270 exhibiting companies. Big names joined us in the Keynote Theatre including national treasure Angela Rippon. Visitor numbers reached a record high and we can’t wait to get to work on the next edition taking place on 20-21 March 2019 at the NEC, Birmingham.
Comments about the show collated by Diversified Communications include:
“Another great show highlighting the best of British tourism, giving a great opportunity to meet attractions and customers and catch up on what is going on in the tourism world.”
Roger Bailey, Coventry Blue Badge Tourist Guide.
“Although a 200-mile return journey, the show was a great way to source new ideas, make new contacts, put names to faces and catch up with long standing and current contacts.”
Geoff Allen, director, Travallen Travel & Events.
“As a U3A organiser we found all the stands representatives very helpful, organised, enthusiastic, and knowledgeable. They were experienced in putting together suitable packages for day trips, giving us lots of ideas on how to organise our excursions. A very helpful and useful day out, which was also very enjoyable.”
Barbara Ashworth, U3A groups organiser.
“It was super to see so many GTOs as well as tour operators at the show; many thanks indeed to Happy Days Holidays for their great efforts [in providing the shuttle coaches], and thanks to the brilliant attractions.”
Steve Reed, Steve Reed Tourism and director of AGTO (Association of Group Travel Organisers).
The show also presented its first ‘GTO Special Recognition Award’, in partnership with AGTO, to acknowledge the hard work and dedication of group travel organisers within the tourism sector. The award went to Mary Gotts, GTO for Ver-Colne Valley U3A. The citation praised her “methodical” and “professional” attitude to groups, commenting that “she works tirelessly to ensure her group have the best holidays ever”.
The British Tourism & Travel Show 2019 takes place on 20-21 March 2019. To see the full press release issued by Diversified Communications, go to www.tourismshow.co.uk/british-tourism-travel-show-reports-1…
