Plus, dates announced for Best of Britain & Ireland 2016

Best of Britain & Ireland took place at the NEC Birmingham on March 11-12, 2015, and featured a fresh look following new ownership by Diversified Communications UK.

The two-day travel trade show saw 250 exhibiting companies and welcomed an estimated 2,361 industry professionals from across Britain and Ireland.

Those exhibiting included Alfa Travel, British Airways Holidays, Daish’s Holidays, Epsom Coaches, Expedia, laterooms.com, Saga Holidays, Shearings Holidays, Thomas Cook, Travelzoo and Woods Travel. Alongside was the seminar theatre, supported by The Tourism Society. Here, visitors were treated to an exclusive look at Resorts World Birmingham; the UK’s first integrated destination complex scheduled to open in summer 2015. GTW attended Changing The Face of Birmingham at 1145hrs on Thursday, March 12, where Robin Sherwood, Commercial Marketing Manager for Resorts World Birmingham, gave an informative presentation about the complex, which will be housed in Hall 5 at NEC Birmingham.

Resorts World is part of the Genting Group, with its Birmingham branch the first European Resorts World constructed.

Further sites include Singapore, Genting (Malaysia), Manila and New York City (Casino). Resorts World Birmingham is a leisure and entertainment complex offering outlet shopping opportunities in the Midlands. Resorts World Birmingham will house approximately 50 retail units, including the largest John Lewis outside London. Not traditional shopping centre fare, Resorts World Birmingham will also include an Asian themed spa and separate private gaming suites accessibly by invitation only.

Resorts World Birmingham took approximately two years to construct and is situated adjacent to one of the largest concert venues in the UK. Groups especially could tailor a weekend itinerary to Resorts World Birmingham, with bookings currently open for the five-star Genting Hotel. For more information visit www.resortsworldbirmingham.co.uk.

Best of Britain & Ireland will return to NEC Birmingham on March 16-17, 2016. www. bobievent.com