VisitBritain Reappoint Chair Ahead of London 2012
February 21, 2011
VisitBritain has reappointed Christopher Rodrigues to serve a second four-year term as the chairman of Britain’s national tourism agency as the industry stands on the brink of its greatest opportunity for years.
Rodrigues will continue to provide the strategic leadership to the company, after being named as chairman in January 2007, as it takes on the task of using major events such as the Royal Wedding, the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee and the 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games to showcase Britain and deliver a permanent increase in tourism to the UK.
Rodrigues’ reappointment comes after UK Prime Minister David Cameron backed the challenge of creating a unique public-private partnership to fund a global marketing campaign with British Airways, DFDS Seaways, lastminute.com, P&O and Radisson Edwardian being the first companies to have agreed to contribute to the campaign.
VisitBritain is believed to be well advanced towards the goal of building a £100 million ($162 million) marketing fund and Rodrigues stated: “I am absolutely delighted to be reappointed to this challenging role at such an opportune moment for British tourism.
“In a few months the eyes of the world will be on the Royal Wedding at Westminster Abbey and next summer they will be focused on the opening ceremony of the London 2012 Games.
“These and other iconic events present us with an unprecedented opportunity to boost Britain’s image abroad and promote our attractiveness as a destination.
“I am determined to do my utmost to ensure that tourism, already Britain’s fifth largest industry and third biggest earner of foreign exchange, makes a major contribution to the rebalancing and rebuilding of Britain’s economy.”
Tourism Minister John Penrose said: “The next few years offer a wealth of opportunities for the tourism industry from the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games, to the Diamond Jubilee and a certain Royal wedding.
“Christopher’s vast knowledge and experience will allow VisitBritain and the wider industry as a whole to reap the benefits, creating growth and raising the profile of the UK abroad, and I’m delighted he will be serving a second term as Chairman.”