VisitBritain’s report into the country’s billing as a hospitable destination has claimed that 80 per cent of foreign visitors were made to feel ‘very welcome’ in 2011.
The tourist board revealed that visitors from countries where English is the first language, including the likes of Australia, Canada and USA, were among those most likely to recommend Britain to others. Americans in particular seemed to have enjoyed their stay last year, as 40 per cent said they felt ‘extremely welcome’ while abroad.
As reported by bighospitality.co.uk, when asked of specific places where a warm greeting was provided, 21 per cent of overseas visitors said restaurants made them feel ‘most welcomed’. Pubs and bars also scored high in this area, taking 13 per cent of the vote.
Although it might be up to event planners and function venues to ensure that their staged gatherings appease foreign delegates, as the results show, it’s comforting to know that other members of the hospitality industry are pulling their weight when it comes to securing repeat visits.
The director of strategy and communications at VisitBritain, Patricia Yates stated that the London Olympic Games has generated a flurry of interest around the world, but that hotels, pubs and restaurants must maintain their high levels of service to attract extra business.
“Enhancing the world’s perceptions of a British welcome will help us attract more visitors in the years ahead,” Ms Yates told conference-news.co.uk.
“We want to make sure that we continue to be seen as a welcoming destination for our visitors so that they continue to want to come back and recommend us to their friends and family.”
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