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Coventry and Warwickshire businesses to compete for international trade

Coventry and Warwickshire has been urged to try to win more international business tourism trade by the national body which runs the industry.

Leading tourism and hospitality businesses from across the area heard the encouragement from Visit England at an event organised by the Coventry and Warwickshire Chamber of Commerce as part of the Coventry and Warwickshire Business Festival.

Jamie Ades, of Visit England, said the area’s central location, good facilities and proximity to Birmingham Airport should allow it to gain a bigger share of the market.

London leads the way on business tourism, but the Midlands is the third most successful region in attracting convention, trade show and exhibition business with a seven per cent share of the market.

Chris Nagle, Events and Marketing Manager of the Chamber, said business should call on the support offered by Visit England.

He said: “There are plenty of initiatives and campaigns run through Visit England and Visit Britain and Jamie made it very clear that businesses who made use of the organisation’s services were often the ones which won most business.

“He was very positive about the potential that lies in Coventry and Warwickshire to cash in on the various assets we have in this region. He has offered help and support in accessing the opportunities which lie in business tourism and we will also work with any members to allow them to tap into the help on offer.”

The event, held at Ardencote Manor, near Warwick, also explored the implications of Brexit on the industry with presentations from Alsters Kelley’s immigration expert Yemi Alli, and Sharon Bell of WCG who outlined the college’s plans for a hotel training school at Moreton Morrell.

Nagle added: “We have a very vibrant tourism and hospitality sector across our region, and while Brexit is clearly a major obstacle, there is clearly potential to drive forward the business on a domestic and international front.”

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Matt Joyce .