Travel buyers from all over the world are gathering on England’s south coast this week for the largest ever global tourism trade event to promote Destination Britain.

Now in its third year, ExploreGB is taking place in Brighton, one of Britain’s most popular seaside resorts, on Thursday 2nd and Friday 3rd March. More than 400 international buyers from 40 countries will do business with 430 travel industry suppliers from across England, Scotland, Wales, Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland.

Buyers from Britain’s largest and most valuable inbound visitor markets, including the USA, Germany, France, Canada and Australia, are attending. Important growth markets including China, the world’s most valuable outbound market, India, Italy and the Gulf countries are also represented.

UK Tourism Minister Tracey Crouch said: "ExploreGB is one of the highlights of the tourism industry calendar and a fantastic opportunity for us to showcase world-class attractions from all over the country to a global audience. The UK attracted a record number of visitors to our shores in 2016 and this event will help us build on that success and promote the best of Britain abroad."

Sally Balcombe, Chief Executive of VisitBritain, which is organising the event, said: “ExploreGB gives UK tourism suppliers and local destinations a valuable opportunity to get their products and services in front of hundreds of international buyers and do business with a broad range of global markets. International delegates will return home in no doubt about the outstanding quality of tourism products and experiences available across our nations and regions and that Britain is open for business.”

More than 41,000 business meetings are set to take place across the two day event. Buyers also get to experience tourism products and services first hand with pre and post event trips to destinations across the UK, including for 26 journalists from 16 countries. Delegates will also attend seminars and networking events to boost their knowledge of Britain as a tourist destination.

Janet Redler, Chief Executive of Janet Redler Travel & Tourism, added: “This year’s ExploreGB will be the biggest opportunity ever for ‘Destination Britain’ to promote the amazing things it has to offer travellers and tourists from across the globe. At Janet Redler Travel and Tourism, we are looking forward to meeting many of the international delegates and working with them to create the best tailor made tours of the UK and Ireland for their customers.”

Latest figures from VisitBritain show that 2016 was a record-breaker for inbound tourism to the UK with 37.3 million visits, up 3% on 2015, and with visitors spending £22.2 billion, matching 2015’s record spend. The figures showed growth in 2016 from North America with 4.3 million visits, up 7% on 2015, and there were a record 25.3 million visits from the EU, up 4% on 2015.

If you would like to find out more about the luxury tailor made tours of the UK and Ireland offered by Janet Redler Travel & Tourism, please contact our friendly team today.