10 new itineraries for travel across the UK

VisitBritain, VisitScotland and Tourism Ireland have announced the launch of 10 exciting new itineraries to inspire trips across the UK at the end of a week-long Events Programme at the Expo 2020 Dubai focused on In the Future… "How Will We Travel".

The event took place at the UK Pavilion, culminating in a networking event launching the new Itineraries on November 23. Guests at the event included top level executives from the travel industry as VisitBritain, VisitScotland and Tourism Ireland continue their work with the travel trade to support the promotion of the UK’s tourism offerings.

Following the recent announcements from the UK government to accept vaccination certificates issued by the GCC countries health authorities, the bespoke itineraries co-created by VisitBritain, VisitScotland and Tourism Ireland were launched to showcase both new and regular travellers the best of the United Kingdom.

By highlighting the quality and sheer diversity of tourism products, destinations and experiences we want to inspire people to explore the UK, to reconnect with places they love and to support local businesses and visitor attractions as they reopen and rebuild.

From the lakes of Northern Ireland to the historical castles of England and Scotland, visitors can traverse the beauty of UK with a range of innovative leisure and sustainable itineraries. Covering England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland, the trips are split into durations of 3, 5 and 7 days and showcase some of the country’s spectacular history and natural beauty for first-time or returning travellers, offering something unique for every visitor.

One spectacular trip spans all four corners of the country so visitors can experience the breadth and diversity of the UK’s terrain firsthand.

The much-awaited launch of the new itineraries coincides with the UK’s easing of travel restrictions, removing all countries from the nation’s red list.

“Our team has spent a great deal of time preparing these unique experiences as travel begins to ease, so it is a great time to showcase the many stunning offerings we have and what better place to do that than Expo 2020, where we can take Britain to the global stage. With so much variety across the country, we wanted to curate stand-out trips which enable our visitors to experience our beautiful and varied landscapes from coast to countryside with niche trips for those with a specific focus and durations which suit both longer and shorter stays. Our itineraries also support our Government environmental priorities, by leading the tourism sector’s recovery with more sustainable practices in place.” said Tricia Warwick, Director Asia Pacific, Middle East, Africa for VisitBritain.

Visitors can escape to the wilds of Northern Ireland with a three-day tour to some of the country’s most cherished historical and natural treasures including its magnificent lakes, stately homes and UNESCO sites, the Marble Arch Caves and the fabulous forest of Finn Lough.

Siobhan McManamy, Director of Markets at Tourism Ireland, said "Tourism is a vital industry for Northern Ireland, offering a wonderful holiday experience with so many must-see destinations and attractions including the region’s newest attraction, the Game of Thrones Studio Tour in the Linen Mill Studios Banbridge, which will open its doors to travellers early next year.

“Northern Ireland’s cities offer a blend of old and new, combined with a vibrant café culture, exceptional food experiences and maritime heritage; The Titanic Belfast tells the story of the famous liner which was built in Belfast,” she added.

Linking North to South, intrepid travellers can also journey across the country from the cultural centre of Cambridge to the verdant hilly terrains of Berwick-Upon-Tweed on the Scottish border in a five-day adventure across England encapsulating history, art and culture.

City-lovers can hop across some of Northern England’s most famed urban centres including Liverpool, the birthplace of the Beatles, and Manchester, home to two of the world’s most-loved football teams.

A magical tour of Scotland in the country’s far north takes visitors through the country’s urban and rural beauty where magical castles meet mythical monsters. From the capital Edinburgh to the east coast of Aberdeen, the castles, nature and culture, as well as golf and gastronomy, will captivate visitors on the five-day trip.

Gwen Raez, Senior Market Development Manager, Long Haul at VisitScotland said: “We’re excited to be at Expo 2020 Dubai to showcase the diverse travel trade products that Scotland and the UK offer. Bringing together key contacts from across our travel trade networks in the UAE, the event presents a unique opportunity to encourage travel agents, advisors and operators to put Scotland at the forefront of new product development for future travel.

“It's the country's rich mix of breath-taking landscapes, mouth-watering food, unforgettable golf experiences, luxurious properties, as well as exciting sustainable travel initiatives that make it a must-visit destination for international travellers.”