Latest news with #VisitBritain
Kuwait Times
17 hours ago
- Business
- Kuwait Times
VisitBritain promotes UK diverse summer tourism beyond London - Faten Omar,
162,000 Kuwaitis visited UK in 2024, a 6 percent increase from 2023 KUWAIT: In collaboration with the British Embassy in Kuwait, Britain's national tourism agency, VisitBritain, organized a special afternoon tea event on Tuesday aimed at promoting the UK's diverse summer tourism experiences beyond London. During her opening remarks, British Ambassador to Kuwait Belinda Lewis emphasized the importance of strengthening the close ties between the United Kingdom and Kuwait, noting the growing interest among Kuwaiti travelers in exploring the UK's home nations. Ambassador Lewis added that Kuwaitis made 162,000 visits to the UK in 2024, a 6 percent increase from 2023 — with an average spend of £2,641 per person. The Gulf region ranks as the UK's tenth-largest inbound market, and Kuwait is projected to have the third-highest visitor spend among GCC countries in 2025. The ambassador highlighted the Electronic Travel Authorization (ETA) scheme as a major driver of this growth, explaining that Kuwaitis made 148,854 applications between February 2024 and March 2025 - the second highest in the Gulf after Saudi Arabia. British Ambassador to Kuwait Belinda Lewis speaks at the event. Mirna Tamimi, Visit Britain's GCC Communications Manager speaks about the campaign. She also emphasized the Embassy's support for initiatives that showcase the UK's rich and diverse experiences, saying, 'We are delighted to welcome VisitBritain and media partners to the British Embassy today. As the long-standing bonds between the UK and Kuwait continue to strengthen, I am glad to see ever more Kuwaiti travelers choosing to visit the UK.' The event introduced VisitBritain's latest global campaign, Starring GREAT Britain, which taps into the rising trend of 'set-jetting' - visiting locations featured in popular films and TV series. The campaign invites travelers to discover iconic filming sites across England, Scotland and Wales. For her part, Mirna Tamimi, VisitBritain's GCC Communications Manager, showcased major events taking place this summer, including world-class sporting moments such as the British Grand Prix at Silverstone and the Wimbledon tennis tournament; Bath's festivities marking 250 years since the birth of renowned author Jane Austen; and the Liverpool Biennial, the UK's largest contemporary art festival. She also emphasized the ease of travel both to and within the UK, with 18 direct flights per week from Kuwait City to London and Manchester, and over 2,500 train stations connecting Britain's towns and cities. In his turn, Gary Robson, VisitBritain Director for Europe, Middle East & India, emphasized the importance of the Kuwaiti market, stating, 'Our collaboration with the British Embassy Kuwait helps us deepen ties in this key GCC region. We are working closely with local influencers and travel trade partners to inspire travel beyond London.' He added, 'Our culturally relevant campaigns, delivered in English and Arabic, are tailored to resonate locally through popular platforms such as Snapchat, which plays a key role in our engagement strategy across Kuwait and Saudi Arabia.'
Arab Times
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- Arab Times
VisitBritain Unveils New Summer Campaign to Boost UK Tourism
KUWAIT CITY, 17 June: VisitBritain, Britain's national tourism agency, and the British Embassy Kuwait, jointly hosted an afternoon tea showcasing the UK's vibrant summer experiences and promoting travel beyond London. The event was hosted by Her Excellency Belinda Lewis, British Ambassador to Kuwait, at her official Residence and attended by members of the local media, travel influencers, and content creators. Presenters showcased the breadth of Britain's tourism offering, with a focus on destinations and experiences outside of London. They also highlighted major events taking place this summer, including world-class sporting moments such as the British Grand Prix at Silverstone and the Wimbledon tennis tournament, Bath's festivities marking 250 years since the birth of renowned author Jane Austen, and the Liverpool Biennial, the UK's largest contemporary art festival. Her Excellency Belinda Lewis, British Ambassador to Kuwait, said: "We are delighted to welcome VisitBritain and media partners to the British Embassy today. As the long-standing bonds between the UK and Kuwait continue to strengthen, I am glad to see ever more Kuwaiti travellers choosing to visit the UK. The British Embassy is proud to support initiatives that encourage people to experience the rich diversity of that the UK's home nations have to offer." Alongside the various summer experiences on offer, the event also outlined VisitBritain's new global campaign, ' Starring GREAT Britain'. Launched earlier this year, the campaign taps into the growing trend of 'set-jetting', whereby travellers visit destinations featured in popular films and television shows - encouraging visitors to explore iconic filming locations across England, Scotland, and Wales. Gary Robson, VisitBritain Director for Europe, Middle East & India, said: 'Our collaboration with the British Embassy Kuwait is an invaluable opportunity to strengthen relationships in one of our key GCC markets. We're working closely with local media, influencers, and the travel trade to showcase the very best of Britain and encourage visitors to explore beyond London. Our culturally relevant campaigns, delivered in English and Arabic, are tailored to resonate locally through popular platforms such as Snapchat, which plays a key role in our engagement strategy across Kuwait and Saudi Arabia. In 2024, Kuwaiti nationals made 162,000 trips to the UK, representing a 6% increase from 2023, with an average spend of £2,641 per visitor. The Gulf region is the UK's tenth-largest source market globally, with 1.04 million visits, and Kuwait is forecast to have the third-highest visitor spend among GCC countries this year. A major driver of this growth is the UK's Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) scheme, which has made visiting easier than ever. Kuwaiti nationals made 148,854 applications between February 2024 and March 2025, the second highest in the Gulf after Saudi Arabia. Kuwait and the UK also boast a number of regular direct flight connections, with 16 direct weekly flights from Kuwait City to London, along with additional services to Manchester.
The Citizen
09-06-2025
- Business
- The Citizen
UK trip great if planned well
If you do it carefully and with planning, staying in the UK won't be as outrageously expensive as you first thought. The tourism industry in the UK is starting to get worried because it has seen a drop-off of more than £2 billion (just over R48 billion) in revenue compared to 2019, before the Covid pandemic hit. It's worried because many other tourist markets have bounced back well from the collapse of 2020–21 and are looking to post record revenues. At the same time, there is concern that the government is about to cut the money it spends supporting Visit Britain, the tourism promotion organisation. Visit Britain predicts that about 43 million tourists will come to the UK this year, generating more than £33 billion. But, why the concern? Simply: the UK has become one of the most expensive destinations in the world. South African passport holders also have the pain of very expensive and frustrating-to-obtain tourist visas… but from this year, they are not going to be the only ones, as the UK will be introducing fees for electronic visas for most visitors from 'acceptable' countries. Travel operators in the UK feel as though the double whammy of visa fees and cutbacks for Visit Britain is shooting itself in the foot. Perhaps, though, you need to realise that either you have to lower your prices, or become more efficient – or both – to lure tourists away from the offerings of European neighbours, which are more affordable and, generally speaking, have far better weather. ALSO READ: Travel alert: Two less visa-free entries for SA passport holders Budget tips for a better stay in the UK Don't get me wrong: if you do it carefully and with planning, staying in the UK won't be as outrageously expensive as you first thought. Self-catering accommodation (as opposed to bed-and-breakfast venues) is becoming more commonplace – and significantly better, in terms of amenities, compared to 20 years ago. Interestingly, on recent trips to the UK, we found excellent self-catering places with prices not far off what you would pay in South Africa (even at 25 to one). B&Bs can also be a good option because you meet friendly people (who'll help with their local knowledge) and generally get a great breakfast to set you up for the day. Not for nothing is the 'Full Monty' (English Breakfast) known as one of the best in the world. Travelling around the UK won't be cheap: fuel is the most expensive in Europe (especially when you buy it at a motorway 'services' stop) and using trains to get around is also way more costly than across the channel – so much so that, in many cases, it is cheaper to fly between cities in the UK than it is to go by rail. But, Rule Number One: eat out as little as possible. Even simple meals will gouge huge holes in your wallet. NOW READ: As Lekker as it gets: You may not stay more than two nights
Vancouver Sun
06-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Vancouver Sun
A first-timer's guide to London with kids
London is one of the top travel destinations in the world — VisitBritain expects over 43 million visits this year — and one of my favourite cities. Year-round and for all ages, there's always so much going on . Every year, there are over 197 festivals and 22,000 music performances. Plus, the city is home to four UNESCO World Heritage Sites and more than 200 museums , 800 art galleries and 6,000 restaurants. All that is to say that you could easily spend a week or two exploring the United Kingdom's capital and not run out of things to see and do. On a recent visit this spring, I had four days to show our kids, aged 8 and 10, around London. We were there to celebrate the launch of the Hogwarts Library Collection on Yoto , a children's audio platform, so I made sure to plan some book-themed activities for my little bibliophiles. But we also made time for all of the usual tourist hotspots since it was their first time in the city. Plan your next getaway with Travel Time, featuring travel deals, destinations and gear. By signing up you consent to receive the above newsletter from Postmedia Network Inc. A welcome email is on its way. If you don't see it, please check your junk folder. The next issue of Travel Time will soon be in your inbox. Please try again Interested in more newsletters? Browse here. Here are the highlights, and what you might want to skip on your next family trip to London. Author J.K. Rowling's Hogwarts Library Collection consists of three books from the wizarding world, and we celebrated their debut on the Yoto platform with a bucket-list ride aboard the British Pullman . Our half-day train excursion included a Hogwarts Library-themed afternoon tea, complete with Chocolate Frogs and Bertie Botts All Flavour Beans , but Belmond offers a number of different train journeys of varying lengths. It was an incredible way to see the English countryside, and my kids alternated between exploring the restored 1920s train's colourful carriages — ours was redesigned by Wes Anderson — and listening to the three newly-released audiobooks on their Yoto Mini players (available for $100 at Yoto and on Amazon ), which are screen-free and a great size for travel. As long-time Harry Potter fans, we visited two sights in London for fun photo opps: Leadenhall Market , which stands in for Diagon Alley in the films, and Platform 9¾ at King's Cross Station , where the Hogwarts Express departs. Just be forewarned that there can be long lines at the latter location, which also has limited opening hours tied to the adjacent Harry Potter Shop. Steps from King's Cross is the British Library , where we saw a copy of the Magna Carta and handwritten lyrics for Beatles songs, but my kids were more enthralled with the nearby floating bookshop, Word on the Water . The charming bookbarge offers new and used tomes, several cozy reading nooks and a small but curated selection of children's books. Other bookshops in London that got top marks from the kiddos? Europe's largest bookshop, Waterstones Piccadilly , for its huge selection of London-themed books and souvenirs, and Housmans , a 'radical indie bookshop' with a children's section filled with titles about politics and climate change. The National Gallery and Tate Modern are normally must-sees for me in London. They were quite crowded during our visits, and my kids quickly lost interest in my explanations about the impacts of Impressionism on modern art. In contrast, I had to bribe them with promises of ice-cream sundaes to leave the Science Museum , which had a hands-on video game experience as well as one called Wonderlab that's dedicated to bringing science and math concepts to life. My kids made cloud rings, tried their hand at water drop photography and even participated in a presentation on probability. There are also special activities for kids at the National Portrait Gallery and Tate Britain , both of which are free to visit. The former offers cool sensory bags for littles and activity booklets to help them explore the collection, while the latter has a Play Studio as well as a Story Space for families (open on select dates). L ondon is an expensive city, but there are also many great free and low-cost tourist attractions, especially if you plan ahead and book reservations in advance. Most museums and galleries (including all the ones mentioned above) offer free general admission for their permanent collections. There are also lots of fun — and free to visit — markets in London. My kids loved spending a Saturday morning sampling cheese and pastries at Borough Market , and if we had more time in the city I would have taken them around the stalls at the Camden and Portobello Road markets. We also found ways to save without skipping out on experiences entirely. Instead of queuing for the pricey London Eye, we booked tickets to Horizon 22 , a free viewing platform on the 58th floor of a skyscraper that offers dramatic, 300-degree views of the city. And in lieu of a fancy Thames River sightseeing cruise, we went for a ride on the Uber Boat by Thames Clippers . An unlimited all-day, hop-on hop-off ticket purchased in advance was £50.80 (~$94 CAD) for our family of four, and the boat stops at sites like Greenwich, the Tower of London and Westminster Abbey. Shopping Essentials , a category written by research-obsessed shopping fanatics, is now on . 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The Guardian
30-05-2025
- Business
- The Guardian
The BBC World Service is a vital beacon of truth in the fight against fake news
You are right to persist in drawing attention to the need for long-term support of the BBC World Service (Editorial, 23 May). It has been an important medium for truthful reporting since the 1930s. I joined in 1967 as PA to its redoubtable editor Bob Gregson. Soon after, it became a 24-hour service, and in the years that followed it became a substantial international service. The reputation of its news and current affairs programmes and independent editorial stance was second to none, and it offered the world what was best in British culture. It was then funded by the Foreign Office. Over recent years, I have seen it shrinking in types of output, yet the importance and reputation of its news and current affairs remains as solid as ever. With the rise in misinformation and disinformation, particularly in these times of international conflict, it remains a beacon of truth. The BBC World Service, and not just the English language service, cannot be allowed to shrink away to a token voice – or worse, nothing. Funding must be found from somewhere. Britain's international reputation would be poorer without HirstBroad Oak, East Sussex Your editorial raises concerns over possible government funding cuts to the BBC World Service. By implication and in light of the government's 1 April announcement to reduce VisitBritain funding by 41%, it is clear how priorities have changed over the use of soft power to influence positive perceptions of the UK – perceptions that will ultimately prove pivotal in securing much-needed economic growth and international investment. Andrew CampbellFormer chair, Wales Tourism Alliance Have an opinion on anything you've read in the Guardian today? Please email us your letter and it will be considered for publication in our letters section.
