Support Messages for British Tourism Week

Rt. Hon. Ann Widdecombe MP

I am delighted to offer my support to this worthwhile campaign.

Tobias Ellwood MP, Shadow Minister for Tourism

British Tourism Week provides us with an excellent opportunity to underline the important role that British tourism plays in relation to our economy. Often called the 'hidden giant of the economy,' the value of our tourism industry is sometimes overlooked by local and national government alike and I am delighted this event helps raise its profile, as well as encouraging debate as to how we can improve our exceptional offering to both domestic and international markets.

Oksana Higglesden, People 1st

British Tourism Week has the total support of People 1st, the sector skills council for hospitality, leisure, travel and tourism. As we approach the golden decade of sporting events and the opportunities it brings, it's imperative that the sector gains the recognition it deserves as one of the largest and most valuable contributors to UK Plc. Its people and their skills play an integral part in the sector's success and we should not forget that continuous development is key to its future legacy.

Sally Jones, Rowan Barn B&B

I have lived in Cornwall for over 30yrs and been involved in tourism for most of those years, I have seen so much of Cornwall's industry being hit, with farmers, fishermen and mining going into decline, so I feel we need to promote the tourist industry as much as we can. We need to showcase the county to the whole of Britain, Europe and the world, it has so much to offer visitors, and in doing so we will protect wealth and employment for our future generation.

David Thompson, Chair, Guild of Registered Tourist Guides

The Guild of Registered Tourist Guides, the national membership organistion for Blue Badge Guides, endorsed by VisitBritain as Britain's Official Tourist Guides, wishes every success to all participants in British Tourism Week. Blue Badge Guides will be playing a key role throughout the four days of the Best of Britain and Ireland event at London's Olympia by greeting visitors and leading themed guided tours of the exhibition stands to highlight the many rich and varied opportunities for tourism to be found throughout this country. We look forward to working with our colleagues through the travel and tourism industry as we celebrate Britain together.

Cllr Maxine Callow, Cabinet Member for Regeneration & Tourism at Blackpool Council

Tourism is a £1billion industry in Blackpool and supports over 20,000 jobs in the resort. We now have over 300 accredited accommodation providers and recently launched the Blackpool Ambassadors scheme to train employees in the resort, both within and outside tourist attractions, to provide the best possible overall experience for our visitors. We are constantly striving to improve the quality of the experiences we offer and are proud to get behind British Tourism Week with it’s aims to raise the profile and standards of this vital industry to the UK, and particularly to Blackpool.

Mike Hancock MP

As a Portsmouth man, born and raised, I'm immensely proud of our area and think it is a wonderful tourist destination. Portsmouth has something to offer everyone, from the shops and restaurants to the museums and galleries showcasing our unique history, and definitely not forgetting the beautiful harbour and the world famous Spinnaker Tower. I would like to thank and congratulate all of those people who work to make Portsmouth's tourist industry as successful as it is. I back British tourism!

Ruud Jansen Venneboer, Mazzard Farm Holiday Cottages

Britain has so much to offer. Are you sure you have explored more than just a fraction of it? And with the current Sterling - Euro exchange rates, what better time to go and discover the British Isles.

Louise Wood, National Caravan Council

On behalf of the UK caravan industry, the NCC (National Caravan Council) would like to make public its support for British Tourism Week (BTW). Events such as BTW serve to highlight the strength and the breadth of our tourism industry. In 2009, the British public rediscovered the delights of a UK holiday - and in particular of caravanning and motorhoming. By working together we can capitalise on this and make 2010 an even bigger success for British tourism.

Fiona Parkinson, University of Cumbria

Hi, I would like to pledge our support to the BTW by offering our campus as a venue for any events which take place. We would be more than happy to host an event and indeed help organise it. Lets not forget what the academic venues have to offer! Many thanks, Fiona.

Hywel Williams MP for Plaid Cymru

I look forward to once again participating in British Tourism Week which raises the profile of this hugely important £114 billion pound industry across all four nations of the UK. We are richly served by our wonderful heritage and culture, our excellent outdoor activities and the fantastic service that you can expect throughout these islands.

Michael McGowan, Sheffield Hallam University

Hi there, I'm really interested in Tourism Week because I'm just about to do my dissertation on UK Tourism. Good luck. Mike McGowan.

Sally Scott Aiton, Scottish Borders Chambers of Commerce

Scottish Borders Chambers of Commerce, in recognition of the tremendous role that tourism businesses play in promoting the region and its economy, offers industry members a 50% discount to join the SBCC. In return we pledge to support and promote the industry to the best of our endeavours. When tourism has been the one sector to shine through the recession in Scotland it deserves the best support it can get. With unrivalled networking and service support Chambers of Commerce offer that foundation.

Hugh Bayley MP

“York suffered less from the recession than most other towns and cities in Yorkshire, and it is bouncing back quicker. In part this is because tourism is such a big employer in York. Tourism is big business. It creates jobs and improves the amenities for local people. British Tourism Week gives us an opportunity to celebrate everything that’s good about tourism. Here, in York, we have two thriving theatres, successful cinemas, world class museums and more shops and restaurants than we would have if we didn’t welcome so many tourists to our city.”

Chrissie Le Marchant, Blue Badge Tourist Guide

Looking forward to seeing everyone at BoBI. Follow me on my Coastal tour of the exhibition.

Adrian Lawes, CD-Traveller

Throughout BTW we will run a daily story about an upcoming event. Links from our home page will enable our million plus recipients to tap into what's happening in their local area. It is the aim of CD-Traveller to encourage as many as possible to see those things on their own doorsteps as to often these get overlooked.

Roger Bailey, Blue Badge Tourist Guide

The show and British Tourism Week is a fantastic opportunity to promote what is best about this country to people bringing visitors here and visiting our many attractions and places of interest. Myself and many of my fellow Blue/Green Badge Tourist Guides also see this as an opportunity to explain what a professional tourist guide can do and what a difference we can make to a visitors experience. We all wish it great success.

Kevin Ellis-Baxter, Visit Chester and Cheshire

Visit Chester & Cheshire, the destination management organisation for Cheshire and Warrington is proud to be actively supporting British Tourism Week by encouraging local residents to rediscover what's on their own doorstep, and by encouraging its team to help their friends and family do exactly the same.

Rt Hon Margaret Hodge MBE, MP, Minister for Culture and Tourism

Tourism makes an enormous contribution both to our economy and the way in which our country is viewed by the rest of the world. This is not something about which everyone is always aware. British Tourism Week represents a fantastic opportunity for the industry to showcase the excellent work they are already doing as well as presenting their plans for improving services, accessibility and delivery now and throughout the run-up to 2012.

Karl Quinney, Great Central Sports Tours

To whom it may concern; I wish to offer my support and backing for British Tourism Week. Get behind it, support it and continue to discover just what riches we have on our very own doorsteps.