UKinbound Annual Convention to bring 250 leading tourism businesses to the city in February 2015
UKinbound, one of the UK¹s leading tourism trade associations, is the latest national body to select Leicester to host its convention.
Ukinbound represents over 300 tourism businesses and is the only one that focuses solely on the interests of the UK¹s inbound tourism sector. Members include inbound tour operators, wholesalers and Destination Management Companies, hoteliers and other accommodation providers, attractions, retailers, restaurateurs, transport providers and other suppliers who provide services for inbound tourists to the UK, both leisure and business travellers.
The convention will run from 11-13 February 2013 and 250 delegates are expected to attend. The event will attract key industry figures as well as an exciting line-up for high profile speakers.
The convention was secured for the city by the Leicester and Leicestershire Conference Bureau, managed by Leicester Shire Promotions. The bidding team also included Mercure Leicester, The Grand Hotel, National Space Centre, Athena, Curve, Ramada Encore and Holiday Inn Leicester City. UKinbound selected Leicester following a competitive bidding process against a number of other leading UK destinations.
UKinbound Chief Executive, Deirdre Wells OBE, commented: “We are thrilled to be able to announce Leicester as host of our annual flagship event. We were thoroughly impressed with Leicester Shire Promotions¹ bid to host the UKinbound Convention and with their commitment, we are fully confident that this Convention will be one of the most significant to date. It¹s wonderful to be able to bring so many of our members to Leicester, to showcase their fantastic tourism offering first-hand, with the view of increasing the profile of the destination to our tour operator members and therefore increasing the number of international visitors flocking to the city in years to come.”
City Mayor Peter Soulsby said: “I am very proud that Leicester has been selected to host this prestigious national event. When 250 of the UK¹s most influential travel industry representatives arrive in Leicester in February, they¹ll find a city buzzing with excitement and preparing for the reinterment of a King.
“We¹re looking forward to welcoming them to our city. Last year, the Federation of Small Businesses hosted their conference in Leicester they were delighted with what the city had to offer and I¹m sure that the Ukinbound delegates will be delighted too.”
Martin Peters, Chief Executive of Leicester Shire Promotions added: “We are doubly pleased to be able to host this event. Not only is it a valuable conference but the nature of the association¹s membership gives Leicester the perfect opportunity to showcase the massive improvements in our visitor facilities to this unique and valuable audience of influencers. Our team worked closely with local partners to present a winning bid to the event organisers and this is a real boost to tourism in Leicester and Leicestershire.”
