Business Tourism Partnership Mission

Business Tourists from Overseas
Inbound business traveller numbers have risen far more quickly
than leisure tourists since 1979, up 212% in that period compared
with a 68% increase for leisure visitors. In 2005 spend by business
visitors from overseas exceeded £4 billion, representing 28% of
global inbound spend. See Table 2.2 for an analysis of the value,
volume and characteristics of inbound business tourism visitors
1995-2005.
Issues and Trends Impacting Business in the Sector
The industry faces an ever-rising tide of legislation and regulation
which not only adds cost but presents considerable challenges as
well. With the increased focus on tourism because of The Olympics
in 2012, more political ‘interference’ in the short to medium term is
to be expected.
This is only one of a number of trends that are evident in the
business; all areas of the b2b sector have felt the impact of
procurement in the process of purchasing of event services. This
has translated into a much greater emphasis on the need for
transparency with programme costings and a clear requirement to
identify added value as well as providing effective and quantifiable
measures to gauge return on investment (ROI). As part of this
process, companies are looking to establish preferred supplier lists
to give them greater control over the quality of delivery as well as
additional leverage through increased buying power and,
importantly, to track their event spend more accurately. Attractive
destinations and facilities are no longer enough – business results
are what count.
Following the 2006 Stern Report, the issue of climate change has
been pushed right up the political agenda. Organisers now have to
include recommendations for offsetting the potential environmental
damage an event may cause.
More and more companies are putting CSR policies in place and
expect event proposals to show a responsible and creative approach
that minimises any local impact their event(s) might have, both
socially and environmentally.
Since ‘9/11’ security has been a key issue and recent events have only
served to increase the focus on risk management and the need for
robust processes that protect both clients and their participants. The
current political uncertainty, particularly in the Middle East, remains
an important factor for organisers planning UK or overseas events.
8