News Release (10/03/11)
Bristol delegation team up with Aer Lingus at US travel show
A delegation from Bristol showcased the city at a major American travel exhibition last month. Representatives of Bristol Airport joined Destination Bristol at the New York Times Travel Show from 25-27 February, raising awareness of the transatlantic links available with Aer Lingus via Dublin.
The New York Times Travel Show attracts exhibitors from all over the world and is attended by travel professionals, media and consumers from across the US. Bristol’s stand featured iconic images of the city and the South West, as well as offering the chance to book a range of packages with Aer Lingus Vacations.
At the show, the Bristol delegation met with American tour operators and travel agents to educate them about Bristol and the new Aer Lingus route. The team also met numerous travel writers from some of the largest travel publications in America, in order to generate positive press on the region.
Jason Wescott, Head of Sales and Marketing at Bristol Airport, said:
“We have seen demonstrable results from attending the New York Times Travel Show in previous years. Perceptions of Bristol and the South West in the US are positive, but we still need to underline how easily Americans can access this part of the world and spend time here. That is why we are focusing on the new Aer Lingus service.”
John Hallett, Managing Director of Destination Bristol said:
“Work we have done in the past has demonstrated the tremendous interest that exists in the USA in the South West of England. With sustained effort this can readily be translated into increased visitor spending. This year’s show was equally successful and there was strong interest in visiting Bristol from tour operators, travel agents and consumers.
“The USA has for many years been Bristol’s most valuable overseas market and visitor numbers have held up well throughout the recession. While American tourists already account for over five per cent of Bristol’s billion pound visitor economy, there is potential to grow this considerably through efforts such as the New York Times Travel Show.”
From 27 March, Aer Lingus Regional will fly three-times daily between Bristol and Dublin, making transatlantic connections to and from New York (JFK), Boston, Chicago and Orlando accessible. Connecting passengers from Bristol will also benefit from the new US Customs and Immigration clearance facilities in Dublin’s new Terminal 2, allowing them to arrive in the US as domestic passengers.
Between 2005 and 2010 around 500,000 passengers travelled directly between Bristol and New York. Travel by foreign residents using Bristol Airport has increased 161 per cent since 2003, with each overseas visitor using the Airport worth an average of £410 to the regional economy.