VisitBritain launches self-managing directory website

VisitBritain launches self-managing directory website

VisitBritain claims to be the first national tourism body to offer a free self-managing online directory for tourism businesses of any size or location.

VisitBritain claims to be the first national tourism body to offer a free self-managing online directory for tourism businesses of any size or location.


This comes as a new version of the tourist board’s international travel trade website is unveiled.


A core feature of the site enables any UK tourism businesses to manage their own listing on VisitBritain’s platforms, allowing companies to be searchable and contactable by the overseas trade.


The supplier directory currently stands at 137, but the site has no limit to the amount of businesses it can host.


The new platform is going live today on all English versions of the trade website, including the US, Canada, Australia, India, the Gulf, Hong Kong, Netherlands and Scandinavia.


Eight other language versions will be introduced this month, allowing UK attractions to create translated versions of their supplier listings in Spanish, French, German, Japanese, Brazilian Portuguese, Italian, Russian or Chinese.


The supplier listings are free and listed companies will be able to track online traffic to their own websites from the VisitBritain directory.


Listings can be categorised based upon the area of business as well as the regions of Britain sold and their location.


Inbound operators overseas are also able to create listings which will then be searchable by UK trade, providing a platform for engagement and ultimately driving both visitor numbers and tourism spend.


The trade website also offers access to VisitBritain’s research along with a free gallery of more than 3,000 images.


Users can also create itineraries based upon predefined locations, which will be featured and searchable on the trade website from November 1.


International travel trade manager, Russell Knight, said: “Providing a free platform for all UK businesses to be featured and promoted was one of our key objectives.


“We’ve now empowered the travel trade to manage their own presence, resulting in greater exposure of their product and itineraries, which, in turn, will bring more visitors to Britain.


“We are calling for the tourism trade to sign up now and take advantage of a platform which will increase your business.”