Japanese travel industry experience the East Midlands during British Tourism Week

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15/03/2010

To coincide with British Tourism Week, which takes place takes place from 15 - 21 March 2010, East Midlands Tourism (EMT),emda's tourism arm is hosting a visit to the region by representatives from leading Japanese travel trade organisations and tour operators.

EMT has identified a potential inbound tourism opportunity from the Japanese market, which has been developed in the light of Loughborough's select ion as  a training camp for the Japanese 2012 Olympic team.
 
Working with VisitBritain Japan, EMT has tailored a tour itinerary to showcase regional highlights relevant to the Japanese market.  The group will experience some of the region's most iconic locations including a visit to  Royal Doulton, Chatsworth and the Peak District, the Bakewell Pudding shop, Nottingham Castle and city, as well as a tour of the Loughborough University facilities and lunch served on the Great Central Railway, before attending the Best of Britain and Ireland Exhibition in London.
 
Tourism Director, Ruth Hyde commented:
 
"We believe that the East Midlands has a very strong tourism product to offer the Japanese market, and are delighted to be hosting this very influential group. The region has a wealth of history and heritage in which our visitors have expressed a keen interest, and we very much look forward to developing our relationship both in the run up to the 2012 Games and beyond."
 
This visit adds to the Japanese flavour in the region this week and follows Japan Day at Loughborough on 15 March. Organised by the UK Trade & Investment (UKTI) and Business Link Japan, this event is designed to ensure that East Midlands businesses are fully exposed to the vast opportunity of business potential that exists for Japanese export and partnerships in the UK, including strong Olympic connections from which East Midlands businesses could benefit.
 
Tourism in the East Midlands is worth £5.9 billion and provides jobs for around 100,000 people. East Midlands Tourism has set a number of targets to increase tourism and raise quality standards, which will help ensure the industry is in a strong position to capitalise on the visitor influx the Olympics will generate.
 

-ENDS-

 
For more information and high resolution photography contact:
Lauraine Jordan
East Midlands Tourism
Tel: 0115 988 8365
Email:laurainejordan@emd.org.uk 
 
Kirsty McMahon
East Midlands Tourism
Tel: 0115 988 8365
Email:kirstymcmahon@emd.org.uk 
 

Notes to editors:

 
1.  EMT also worked with the regional development agency in the West Midlands, Advantage West Midlands, on the first day of the Japanese travel industry visit when they visited Wedgwood in Stoke, the home of the Potteries.
 
2.  EMT was established in April 2004 by East Midlands Development Agency and is responsible for improving the skills, quality standards and the value and competitiveness of the tourism industry. The tourism industry has an important role to play in supportingemda's aim to deliver the 2006 Regional Economic Strategy (RES) which sets out regional priorities until 2020. The RES, coordinated by emda, highlights the themes of productivity, sustainability and equality and builds on the previous two strategies; 'Prosperity through People' and 'Destination 2010'. For more information on east midlands tourism visitwww.eastmidlandstourism.com   
 
3. EMT works with five Destination Management Partnerships - Experience Nottinghamshire, Explore Northamptonshire, Leicester Shire Promotions, Lincolnshire Tourism and Visit Peak District & Derbyshire.   These organisations are responsible for managing their sub region as a tourist destination, working with local stakeholders, and are the first point of contact for businesses and visitors. For more information visitwww.discovereastmidlands.com 
 
4. British Tourism Week is a national event organised by VisitBritain, series of inter-related events, which aims to raise local, regional, national and international awareness of the size, value and importance of Britain's £114 billion visitor economy.

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