Issue 77 Summer 2019 ÂŁ2.75
Premier Leagueâs power in boosting tourism revealed NEW research from VisitBritain shows the power of the Premier League in driving inbound tourism amongst overseas football fans, with more than three-quarters of those surveyed intending to visit the UK during the next two years. Chinese football fans surveyed showed the greatest intention with 92 per cent intending to visit the UK within the next two years followed by India, 85 per cent and the US, 80 per cent. VisitBritainâs âInternational Football Researchâ also found that the Premier League had a greater pull for tourists than the top leagues in other countries. Two-thirds, 66 per cent, of those who had travelled to watch a football match in the UK saw a Premier League match, making it the most popular. This compared to 39 per cent who had watched a top league match when they had travelled to watch football outside of the UK. The research, carried out across Brazil, China, India, Norway, Sweden and the US, targeted football fans and also what VisitBritain terms as âbuzzseekers,â a segment of travellers who like action and excitement on their holidays, to understand the role that football plays in driving immediacy to visit Britain. The results echo additional research by VisitBritain into âdream activitiesâ for potential visitors across 17 international markets which showed that watching a Premier League game live was a dream activity for one in four, with a similar proportion keen to watch a Premier League football match in a pub with locals. VisitBritain director Patricia Yates said: âThis research cements the huge pull that Premier League football has in attracting international tourists to Britain with people keen to visit the clubs of their sporting heroes, not only experiencing the excitement and atmosphere of a match but associated visitor attractions and destinations. âIt demonstrates the Premier Leagueâs potential in driving regional tourism by encouraging visitors to explore different parts of Britain, and footballâs effectiveness in driving growth across the low and shoulder seasons, supporting local
âWe benefit from having hugely popular clubs and players who attract people to our competition and to the UK.â
economies.â Premier League interim chief executive Richard Masters added: âOur aim is to put on the best possible football competition and to engage fans and communities both locally and globally. âWe benefit from having hugely popular clubs and players who attract people to our competition and to the UK. âWe put a lot of effort into connecting with our international fans, and that will again be highlighted this summer when four of our clubs visit Nanjing and Shanghai in China for the Asia Trophy. âNothing quite beats the excitement of a match day, being inside a full Premier League ground and seeing a match in the flesh, so itâs very encouraging to hear that so many international visitors want to experience football in this country.â Manchester United was the top team followed with 70 per cent of Premier League followers in the markets surveyed supporting them. Liverpool was second with 66 per cent and Chelsea third with 62 per cent. International football fans who followed the Premier League followed on average six teams, demonstrating the opportunity and importance of football in driving regional tourism. VisitBritain has encouraged visitors from all over the world to travel to Britain and enjoy a football match with its Football is GREAT campaign, as part of its drive to get tourists out exploring more of the nations and regions. Latest available research by VisitBritain showed that football is the number one sporting draw for international tourists to the UK with more than 800,000 international visitors going to a football match annually, spending ÂŁ684million during their time in the country.
The UKâs biggest lantern festival returns to Longleat for 2019. Hundreds of breathtaking, illuminated lanterns, set in over 30 acres of splendid âCapabilityâ Brown landscaped grounds, will transform the Estate as darkness falls. This year the Festival of Light presents Myths and Legends. Longleat is inviting you to join them on a thrilling odyssey, discovering epic stories from around the world. From the gods and magical beings of ancient Greece, to heroic tales of British folklore with the legendary Kraken, a colossal sea monster lurking in the depths of Longleatâs Half Mile Lake, ready to engulf any ship that sails too close ⊠filled with astonishing creatures, magnificent scenery and stunning structures; donât miss the most amazing mythical adventure of them all.
First steel cut on new Lake Windermere boat
WINDERMERE Lake Cruises has signed a contract to make a multimillion pound investment in a new 300-seat boat to add to its famous existing fleet. MV âSwiftâ is expected to be in service from the mid 2020 season, making it the largest craft to be âlaunchedâ onto Windermere for more than 80 years. The new vessel has been designed to operate in all seasons, 364 days a year and will increase the quality of the visitorsâ experience thanks to 21stcentury quality, comfort and accessibility. Like Windermere Lake Cruisesâ existing flagship âsteamersâ MV Swan and MV Teal, the new vessel will boast three decks but will be slightly shorter in length to enable it to access smaller jetties to help support other businesses in the area. The first cutting of the steel has taken place, with construction expected to be complete in approximately 17 months. Chairman of Windermere Lake Cruises, Bill Bewley, said: âWe
are ranked by Visit England as one of the top 10 âpaid forâ visitor attractions in the country and we are always striving to improve the visitor experience, hence the decision to invest in a new vessel. âItâs not only an opportunity to ensure our passengers continue to enjoy comfortable journeys with us but will also help visitors experience the full 10.5-mile length of the lake, its surrounding countryside and attractions. Without having to rely on their cars to accomplish that, it forms an important part of the sustainable transport network. âWe also wanted to make other existing stop-off points along the lake more accessible to our passengers. âSwiftâ has therefore been designed to easily access piers such as private jetties at hotels including Low Wood Bay Resort & Spa, which until now have been unable to accommodate our larger vessels.â The vessel is being built by Netherlands-based company Damen following the signing of the contract with the boat-builder in March.