The Famous London Eye

For the longest time, Filipinos travel to Great Britain or the United Kingdom in search of the proverbial “bigger opportunities and greener pasture”. Only upon reaching the sovereign state will one realize that England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland are not only big in terms of foreign exchange but in tourist attractions as well.

Home to the most vibrant cities in the world, there’s never a shortage of things to do in Britain. And although these places may conjure ideas of glamour and expensive travel, these cities prove that glitz does not have to break the bank. With value offers from cheap eats, free entrance to museums and galleries, affordable shopping and free walking tours, the only thing you need to spend on is your travel visa.   

Setting the stage for exciting international events and activities, Britain through its national tourism agency, VisitBritain announced the line-up of activities and events in its cities that would draw interest among tourists from the Philippines, which it identified as its fourth biggest market in South East Asia, after Singapore, Malaysia, and Thailand.

“We’re looking at strengthening our ties with the Philippines via consistent promotion of Britain’s exciting attractions in lead up to the Olympics to attract more Filipino tourists to visit Britain,” said Keith Beecham, VisitBritain’s overseas network director.

United Kingdom Ambassador to the Philippines Stephen Lillie, expressed his excitement over the events and activities that Filipinos could look forward to in Britain.  He shared: “Britain has a lot to offer that definitely caters to the diverse interests of Filipino tourists. Whether they’re into sports, music, food or arts and culture, they would find Britain as an interesting destination to discover and explore.”

Among the international events that would interest Filipino visitors to Britain are the 2012 London Olympic and Paralympics Games, the 2012 Games Works of Art, the 2010 Ryder Cup, and a myriad of British art and music festivals. 

Besides the must-see events, tourists would also delight in the variety of activities and great spots they would find in and outside of London, such as the British Museum in London and the National Museum in Cardiff, Wales; the breathtaking sites and landmarks such as the Roman Baths and Pump Room in Bath and Observation Wheels in Windsor, Belfast and Manchester; affordable entertainment at The Fringe in Edinburgh, Scotland; value-for-money dining and shopping destinations like the Portobello Market in London, Bicester Village in Oxfordshire, and the Victorian Central Market in Wales.

VisitBritain will be relaunching its website, www.visitbritain.com this year to be even more user-friendly and relevant to travelers; work in close partnership with local travel agencies via the BritAgent e-learning programme to effectively market and promote Britain as a destination; and work with the local media in coming up with great stories that would capture the interest of tourists looking for new and exciting destinations to visit.