All RDAs across England are closing by March 2012
(see transition and closure section).
With our resources reducing steadily, this page has not been recently updated and the information below may not be current.
If in doubt, please contact us directly.
Welcome to Britain
The Welcome to Britain strategy (You’re Welcome) aims to improve
the welcome that overseas and domestic visitors receive before,
during and after their stay in the UK.
Strategy
The strategy will inspire the UK tourism industry to:
- Encourage excellent standards of customer service
- Share cross-industry best practice
- Improve the visitor experience, and
- Create a highly skilled and motivated workforce.
These improvements will enable the UK to maximise opportunities
through upcoming international events, in particular the 2012
Olympics and Paralympics.
Principles
The Welcome to Britain principles are:
- Creating services and facilities which ensure an excellent
welcome throughout the entire visitor journey from decision to
visit to after-visit care
- Friendly and professional communication
- Clear and consistent visitor information throughout an
organisation/destination
- Cultural and accessible awareness and service provision
- Effective staff training programme using recognised programmes
and qualifications
- Effective customer service policies
- Recognition of agreed national and regional sector
standards
- Sharing best practice.
Steering Group
Leaders of ‘Overseas’, Ports of Entry’ and ‘In Country’
(delivered through the 4 nations) working groups comprise the
national Welcome to Britain steering group, chaired by the
VisitBritain Chairman.
Members of the South West RDA Tourism, Culture and 2012 team are
currently working with VisitEngland to coordinate RDA activities
and represent England’s interests on the partnership. ‘Welcome to
England’ activities will feature in the emerging England Tourism
Strategy under the objective ‘Provide excellent visitor
experiences’, including current activities and other key
priorities.