Ricoh Arena hosts National Tourism Conference

20th July 2011

Ricoh Arena to host National Tourism Conference

VisitEngland, the national tourist board, has played host to the first 2012 conference dedicated to the English tourism industry.

The event was held at the impressive 2012 Olympic Games venue, the Ricoh Arena in Coventry, and brought together tourism experts from around England to learn about the opportunities that events like The Games offer the industry next year.

Attended by the Tourism Minister, John Penrose, the afternoon included an update from the Nations and Regions Group regarding opportunities arising from The London 2012 Games, the latest news on the highlight of the Cultural Olympiad programme – Festival 2012, The Big Jubilee Lunch, and The Torch Relay.

The events of 2012 provide the tourism industry with the opportunity to build a programme of marketing and PR activity around an unprecedented year of celebration and in doing so promote the destination and breadth of tourism experiences on offer for the visitor.

James Berresford, VisitEngland Chief Executive said: “We have a fantastic opportunity next year to show case all that England has to offer domestic and international visitors, and to demonstrate that these wonderful events like The Games, the Diamond Jubilee and the Torch Relay can be enjoyed throughout the country and not just in London.

“This was a wonderful opportunity to meet as an industry, and explore how we can maximise our efforts to get the very best out of 2012. Hosting the conference here at such a wonderful Olympic venue can only serve to inspire us further.”

Daniel Gidney, chief executive of the Ricoh Arena, said it was a further example of the venue’s national recognition.

He said: “We were delighted to be asked to host this conference and welcome the eighth government minister to have visited the Ricoh Arena this year.

“Tourism is key for the whole of the economy and that is going to be magnified in 2012 so it is important that we are prepared as a nation.

“We are certainly gearing up for next year when we will host Olympic football matches as the City of Coventry Stadium and this event highlights that now is the time for the whole of the industry to begin the marketing push to make the most of this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.”