Harrogate hosted the biggest tourism event of its kind in the north of England last week as 2880 appointments took place in just one day between tourism business suppliers and travel buyers from across the globe.
The Harrogate International Centre hosted the event as buyers with customers from around the world discovered just what the north of England has to offer.
“Visitors from China or Russia have now visited London and Stratford-upon-Avon so travel buyers are now looking further afield for what they can offer their customers.” said Michael Newby Director of Visit Harrogate whose team was deeply involved in arranging the event. They are looking for new and quality experiences. Needless to say, as soon as the buyers arrived in Harrogate they were bowled over by the offer that we have in this District.
“Our local hotels were brilliant in arranging accommodation for the overseas buyers who stayed in The Cedar Court, The Crown, The Holiday Inn, The Old Swan, The Majestic and Rudding Park. And who cannot be impressed by dinner in the Royal Hall?”
The buyers spent a full day meeting suppliers from across the north of England but the Harrogate District was well represented by a dozen attractions, accommodation providers, festivals and travel organisers.
At the end of the second day three groups headed off on familiarisation trips to Durham, York, and the Peak District. One group of buyers who have customers in the USA, China, Russia, the Middle East, Australia and Canada stayed in Harrogate to have dinner at Rudding Park and gin tasting laid on by The Spirit of Harrogate. They then toured the Harrogate District to sample a taste of what the area has to offer.
Sibh Megson, Visit Harrogate’s Marketing Manager said:
Thanks to the generosity our partners we were able to put on a fantastic tour of the District including the Turkish Baths, Fountains Abbey, Swinton Park and Newby Hall
Many of the buyers not only said that they would bring their customers to Harrogate but that they would love to come here on holiday themselves, commenting particularly on the quality of experience to be had in the District. – there is no better recommendation than that.
- The ‘Best of the North’ event was a B2B workshop held in partnership with VisitEngland, the European Tourism Association (ETOA) and Northern Destinations
- Visit Harrogate is the official Destination Management Organisation for the Harrogate District. This includes Masham, Pateley Bridge, Boroughbridge, Ripon, Knaresborough and Harrogate. Launched in September 2013, it is a public-private not-for-profit partnership, working alongside Welcome to Yorkshire and Harrogate District Council. Visit Harrogate is integrated with the Tourism Information Centres in the district.
- Visit Harrogate’s prime objective is to increase visitors to the district and to encourage them to stay longer by showcasing what there is to do in the area and promoting the whole experience. Tourism businesses can benefit from working with Visit Harrogate by getting involved in press and social media activity and promoting themselves through www.visitharrogate.co.uk and their widely distributed literature. Visit http://www.visitharrogate.co.uk/ to get involved or call 01423 537388.
