International Tourism rose 32% in Birmingham

By E Birmingham
Published on 1 Mar 2015

International Tourism rose 32% in Birmingham

International tourist numbers in Birmingham alone rose by 32% last year helping to swell the city's economy by £5bn.

Today delegates from India, a country considered key to this success, were in the city as part of a campaign to attract even more tourists to the whole of our region.

Paul Kehoe, Chief Executive of Birmingham Airport, said:

“By playing host to important tourism delegations from across the globe in the coming weeks, we are opening up the region to a whole new visitor base, further increasing our international appeal.

“2015 is already shaping up to be another great year for the Airport, with record passenger numbers in January adding to the launch of Icelandair’s new service between Reykjavik and Birmingham. We look forward to welcoming more visitors to the area this year than ever before.”

This month also sees Birmingham host a number of Australian travel consultants to promote the region’s leisure tourism offer ahead of two major international sporting events involving Australia in 2015. In July, Edgbaston Stadium welcomes the third Ashes Test Match, while Villa Park – home of Aston Villa Football Club – stages the Rugby World Cup fixture between Australia and Uruguay in September.

Birmingham will welcome 10 of Germany’s leading conference and events organisers at the end of February to highlight its business tourism credentials. In association with VisitEngland, the delegation – from eight German cities which fly directly into Birmingham Airport – will visit venues including Hilton Garden Inn, Aston Villa, Birmingham Hippodrome and Hotel du vin.

The city will also have a presence at this year’s Best of Britain and Ireland (BoBI) exhibition at the NEC on 11th and 12th March, showcasing its offer to 3,000 targeted decision makers from the UK’s tourism sector.

Emma Gray, Director of Marketing Services at Marketing Birmingham, which operates the leisure and business tourism programmes Visit and Meet Birmingham, said:

“The success of the Christmas Markets programme not only rounds off an exceptional year for Birmingham’s visitor economy, but provides a ripple effect for continued success throughout the wider region in 2015.

“Birmingham is proudly welcoming the world in 2015, with international sporting events such as the Ashes and Rugby World Cup. We are committed to raising the region’s profile across wider international markets.

“This year will be one of Birmingham’s busiest, with major attractions and institutions such as Cadbury World, Birmingham Cathedral and Birmingham Royal Ballet all celebrating key anniversaries as well as the arrival of new retail and leisure offerings including Resorts World and Grand Central. We have more to offer visitors than ever, and we anticipate record-breaking numbers of both domestic and international tourists in the region right across 2015.”

27th February 2015

Birmingham Airport BHX Air India Delhi Amritsar flights