News story

Culture Secretary Jeremy Hunt's Olympic tour comes to Surrey

Businesses are urged to make the most of 2012 as VisitEngland campaign gathers pace

This was published under the 2010 to 2015 Conservative and Liberal Democrat coalition government

10 February

Businesses in Surrey were today urged to make the very most of the opportunity of the country hosting the Olympic and Paralympic Games, as Secretary of State for Culture, Olympics, Media and Sport Jeremy Hunt continued his nationwide ‘2012 tour’ at Farnham Castle in Surrey.

Addressing more than 80 hoteliers, businesses and tourism bodies from across the region, the Culture Secretary said there were big wins to be had for Surrey - in particular its tourism industry - and urged them to sign up to a new 20.12 per cent discount scheme.

The event, which was hosted by Kevin Lorimer (Chairman, Visit Surrey), showcased the business, tourism, cultural and sporting opportunities that the Games bring. Other speakers included Ruth Mackenzie OBE (Director, Cultural Olympiad), Oona Muirhead (London 2012 Nations and Regions Group Member for the South East), Councillor Denise Saliagopoulos (Surrey County Council) and James Berresford (Chief Executive, VisitEngland).

Jeremy Hunt said:

“Surrey can help start the Olympic gold rush this summer - with the two road cycling events on the first weekend of the Games coming right through the county.  Box Hill will be the make or break moment for Mark Cavendish and the rest of the Team GB riders. But it’s make or break time now for Surrey’s tourism businesses to sign up for the 20.12 per cent discount scheme and encourage Brits to ditch Cyprus for Surrey and holiday at home in 2012.”

VisitEngland’s Chief Executive, James Berresford said:

“I’m delighted to be here in Surrey take part in this exciting initiative to launch England’s most high profile campaign to boost domestic tourism.  2012 offers the tourism industry an unprecedented opportunity to grow domestic tourism by inspiring Britons to take a holiday at home next year. Spear-heading the promotion will be a high profile TV campaign and specially devised website offering discounted offers of 20.12% off or better. Any tourism business can participate and the time to do that is now.  Those businesses interested in getting involved should go to www.visitengland.org/2012offers where they will be able to find out more about the campaign and upload their special offer.”

Kevin Lorimer Chairman of Visit Surrey, said: 

“We are delighted to welcome Jeremy Hunt to Surrey to speak to all our tourism businesses and local authorities at this exciting time. Our diversity and fantastic tourism product offering makes Surrey a unique place to visit.  Surrey tourism works closely across all aspects of the industry, collaborating to maximise on improving our visitor economy and giving the very best visitor experience. Surrey has been working hard to make the most of all the Olympic opportunities available to us and as we get closer to the start of the Games we will continue to strive to make Surrey a fantastic place to visit during 2012 and after the Games have gone.”

Notes to Editors

1. For further information please contact Oliver Jackson at the Department for Culture, Media and Sport on 020 7211 6263/ 07872 419002.

2. For further information about tourism in Surrey please visit http://www.visitsurrey.com/ or contact Anna Tomkins at Visit Surrey on managervisitsurrey@gmail.com.

3. For further information about VisitEngland contact Sarah Long on 0207 578 1452/ sarah.long@visitengland.org
       
4. More information about London 2012 can be found on our website and on the London 2012 website.

5. The GREAT initiative is an international campaign to maximise the tourism and business opportunities of the UK hosting the 2012 Games.

6. Culture Secretary Jeremy Hunt is making a series of visits around the country to promote the opportunities of 2012.  He visited Cumbria on 9 November, Nottingham on 16 November, Cornwall on 18 November, Birmingham on 23 November, Canterbury on 2 December, Manchester on 12 January, York on 18 January, Norwich on 20 January, Newcastle Gateshead on 26 January and London on 2 February.  Other provisional dates are:

  • 29 February: Wales
  • 2 March: Scotland & Northern Ireland
  1. South East 2012 factsheet (PDF, 45kb)

Press Enquiries: 020 7211 2210
Out of hours telephone pager no: 07699 751153
Public Enquiries: 020 7211 6000

Published 2 April 2012