The fourth British Tourism Week announced for 15 - 21 March 2010 after a successful third year.
The third annual British Tourism Week (BTW) took place from 23 - 29 March 2009, culminating with the inaugural Best of Britain & Ireland event which incorporates a Travel Trade Forum (formerly the British Travel Trade Fair) and a new two-day consumer show.
His Royal Highness the Prince of Wales is the Patron of British Tourism Week, which aims to raise national and international awareness of the size, value and importance of Britain's £114 billion visitor economy.
The week kicked off with a private lunch hosted by the current Minister for Tourism, Barbara Follett MP on Monday 23 March, and she was joined by a number of her predecessors who have had responsibility for tourism at various times over the last 40 years in celebration of the 40th anniversary of the 1969 Development of Tourism Act. This was followed by a reception at No 11 Downing Street on Tuesday 24 March, hosted by Ian Pearson MP, Economic Secretary to the Treasury, by permission of the Chancellor of the Exchequer, together with the Rt Hon Andy Burnham MP, Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, and Barbara Follett MP. Industry guests from around the country made use of the occasion to highlight the economic importance of the tourism industry, not only in terms of its value to the Exchequer, but also in terms of its potential for job creation, especially in the current economic downturn.
Over 230 events were held across the country, exceeding the number of events held in 2007 and 2008 combined, to demonstrate the contribution made by businesses large and small, public and commercial and to galvanise the commitment of organisations and individuals to further improve and develop the industry. They included meetings and conferences, launches, festivals and fairs, exhibitions, open days, competitions, and guided walking tours. Over 100 Members of Parliament also got involved in activities for BTW, many of whom visited tourism businesses in their constituencies to better understand its importance on a local level.
A photo competition was also held to find the ‘face of British Tourism Week 2009’, and congratulations go to Susan Hemmings of Wightlink Ltd, whose photo of Stacey Collins won first prize, and Annette Haggett, Manager of the Tourist Information Centres at Burnham-on-Sea and Cheddar Gorge who came a very close second place. Their photos appeared alongside a number of other entries, and the winners of the national and regional Outstanding Customer Service awards on the official poster which was displayed in attractions, accommodation establishments, tourist information centres, office and business premises to promote the week.
British Tourism Week is organised by VisitBritain, with the support of The Tourism Society, Tourism Alliance, Wales Tourism Alliance, Scottish Tourism Forum, British Hospitality Association, ABTA the Travel Association and Britain's national and regional tourist boards, as well as Best of Britain & Ireland Events.
The third Wales Tourism Week, led by the Wales Tourism Alliance, ran concurrently. The fourth Scottish Tourism Week was held from 2-9 March to coincide with the ScotHot, Scottish Hospitality three-day event.