EEDA the East of England Development Agency has commissioned North East England based consultants Tourism UK Ltd to prepare a strategy which will enable the region to develop its share of the growing business tourism market. Director of Tourism UK Ltd, Kevin Kaley, said,” we are delighted to have been selected, ahead of some stiff competition, to prepare this strategy for the East of England. Business tourism is currently predicted to grow at a faster rate than leisure tourism as we move towards the end of the decade.
Conferences, exhibitions, incentive travel, corporate hospitality, outdoor events and individual business travel account for a growing share of total inbound tourism into the UK. In 2005, expenditure by business visitors represented 28% of all spend compared with 32% of spend by holiday visitors. This is a very important segment of the overall tourism market and one which many regions across the UK could do better in. In addition business tourism has the potential to introduce a destination to business visitors who could be encouraged to return as leisure visitors”.
The strategy was completed in February 2008.