In a drive to attract more business events to Bath, Bath Tourism Plus (BTP) is travelling to Frankfurt to exhibit at IMEX, the world’s leading exhibition for meetings, incentive travel and events, from 21-23 May 2013. Known as the largest financial centre in continental Europe and home to one of the world’s largest airports, Frankfurt is a key target for Bath’s ambition to grow international tourism. The city is connected by direct, daily flights into Bristol, alongside flights from Hamburg, Munich and Hannover, attracting business travellers from the heart of Europe.
Held over three days, IMEX is a global exhibition that attracts around 9,000 key decision makers from over 90 countries. Bath Tourism will be amongst the 3,500 exhibitors from over 157 countries targeting high end incentive event organisers who will ultimately decide whether to bring their conventions, conferences, corporate hospitality, product launches, special events or incentive programmes to Bath.
As Bath is able to provide some of the most spectacular ‘wow factor’ venues to be found in the UK, Amy Barber, Bath Tourism’s Conference Sales & Marketing Executive will be attending IMEX from 21-23 May and will have appointments with over 100 key event organisers over the three days.
In addition there will be numerous networking sessions including daily ‘Afternoon Tea’ served to people to experience traditional ‘English’ refreshments providing the perfect opportunity to promote Bath to a wide variety of potential clients.
Nick Brooks-Sykes, Chief Executive at Bath Tourism Plus says: This is the latest in a series of high profile activities led by Bath Tourism Plus which aims to increase international tourism into Bath and North East Somerset. By hosting international travel writers and incoming tour operators and by attending high profile events like IMEX, we are sending out a strong message that Bath welcomes overseas tourists. Competition is tough, but we have a strong product offer and our focussed marketing activity is designed to deliver results at best value. The aim is to grow international tourism, currently worth almost £80million to the local economy, by 12% over 3 years”.
Bath along with Destination Bristol and Bristol Airport, will form part of the large Visit England Pavilion. Commanding a prime location, the England Pavilion will be located in the centre of the exhibition hall in the UK and Ireland zone.
Amy, delighted at using this opportunity to promote Bath’s business proposition commented: “Exhibiting at IMEX presents plenty of opportunity to raise Bath’s profile to potential clients looking to host events in the UK. Bath is an internationally recognised destination situated in a good location with great transport links in the UK and from mainland Europe. With its spectacular century-spanning architecture, Bath has plenty of unique venues to choose from, perfect for staging events and providing incentive activities.”
The timing could not be better for Bath Tourism as they will use this opportunity at IMEX to highlight the new European routes into Bristol Airport and its additional conference facilities which are set to expand Bath’s portfolio in the next 12 months.
The refurbishment of Hand Picked Hotels’ newly acquired Bailbrook House Hotel with its state of the art conference centre and the eagerly anticipated opening of the 5-star Gainsborough Hotel with its own thermal spa, will add to Bath’s excellent range of unique products which is always attractive to buyers who are looking for new high quality product ideas.
