VisitBritain invited a few industry members to the newly refurbished Langham Sydney for a cocktail and an update on the UK and its products.
The event was hosted by VisitBritain’s team of two in Australia (Mark Haynes and Kristen Angus) and featured a special appearance by the tourist bureau’s global marketing director, Joss Croft.
Parris Fotias Dorchester Collection, Karen Harrison British Airways
The three Great Britain representatives shone a spotlight on what’s new, what to do and where to sleep in the UK during 2015.
There was also emphasis on the importance of Australian travellers, which is a multi-billion dollar market for the destination.
Lachlan Conn Etihad, Adam Vance Etihad, Joss Croft VisitBritain, Kate Schilling Helloworld
In 2013 there were more than one million Australian visits to Britain, spending $2.25 billion and in 2014 the market looks set to break records with spend for January to September 2014 exceeding $1.89 billion and visitor nights exceeding 12.4 million.
A full calendar of literary and historic anniversaries; hallmark events; new experiences and hotels; coupled with fantastic flight connectivity have Australia on track to delivery another GREAT year for travel to Britain in 2015.
Mark Haynes VisitBritain, Julie Chou Cathay Pacific
Mr Croft also took time out to explain why Australians continue to visit the UK despite the 24-hour travel time.
He highlighted two key drivers keeping Aussies coming back – culture and countryside.
Mark Haynes VisitBritain, Paul Wright Virgin Australia, Joss Croft VisitBritain
He explained that culture covers a number of things, including the local history, heritage, sports, shopping and even drinking.
2015 will be a particularly big year for the UK in terms of historical anniversaries and the biggest one is the Magna Carta’s 800th anniversary.
Sports are going to be another driver for Aussies to visit the UK this year, with the Rugby World Cup being held in Great Britain between September and October.
And movies such as the new James Bond flick ‘Spectre’ and ‘Paddington Bear’ showcase the destination’s ‘cool’ Englishness and hospitality.
