Following this morning�s announcement that BAA�s profits have been dented by falling passenger numbers, stay-at-home Britons are being encouraged to visit the Best of Britain & Ireland 2009, a celebration of everything that the domestic tourism industry has to offer, for inspirational ideas for holidaying in the UK and Ireland.

Passenger numbers passing through BAA�s seven UK airports slid 2.8% to 145.8 million last year, suggesting that fewer Brits are choosing to travel overseas as the pound remains weak against the Euro and other currencies.

Recent research released by VisitBritain and Visit London into holiday trends in the current economic climate shows that around 20 per cent of those that took a foreign holiday last year plan to travel domestically in 2009 to save money, and that the level of time spent researching to get the best deal will increase significantly. The research showed that the number of Britons currently considering holidaying domestically works out at 4.9 million.

The research also shows that over half of those intending to cut back on spending on UK breaks will do so by looking harder for special offers on the market or by increasing the amount of time they take planning their trip. Best of Britain & Ireland, a brand new consumer event showcasing the best of holidaying in England, Ireland, Scotland and Wales, is the ideal place to research domestic holidays. Organised in partnership with VisitBritain, the event takes place on 28 and 29 March 2009 at London�s ExCeL Centre.

For the first time under one roof, the holiday experience in Britain and Ireland will be brought to life with a host of interactive displays, tastings, exhibitions, live performances and demonstrations highlighting the best of the tourism product from all areas of the country.

Rob Mackenzie, Co-Managing Director of the Best of Britain & Ireland, commented: �All the evidence is pointing towards the fact that the UK holidaymaking public is turning its back on European breaks and thinking about domestic holidays with greater vigour than ever before. With this enhanced appetite for staying at home, the Best of Britain & Ireland presents the perfect opportunity for visitors to learn more about the fantastic holiday experience available right on their doorstep.�

Forming the culmination of British Tourism Week (23 � 29 March), the event will be an exciting weekend featuring hotels, food, activities, walks, scenery, attractions, and of course the personalities behind them, from all the regions of Britain and Ireland. Visitors will be able to plan their trip according to their interest, with dynamic themes such as Active, Coastal, Countryside, Flavours, Heritage and Luxury, guaranteeing that they come away armed with inspirational holiday ideas.

Tickets to Best of Britain & Ireland start from �10 and can be booked online at www.britainandirelandevent.co.uk or by calling 0871 230 5588.

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Media requiring further information about Best of Britain & Ireland should contact Chloe Handy at Fleishman-Hillard: 0207 395 7177 / chloe.handy@fleishmaneurope.com

Media requiring further information about Visit Britain�s research should contact Elliott Frisby at Visit Britain: 020 8563 3035 / elliott.frisby@visitbritain.org

Media registration is now live. Members of the press wishing to register for free attendance to the show should visit www.britainandirelandevent.co.uk/registration Media registration for the Best of Britain & Ireland Travel Trade Forum is now live. Members of the press that activate their registration code before 31 December 2008 will have the chance to win a luxurious weekend break, courtesy of Classic British Hotels.

Notes to Editors:

About the Best of Britain & Ireland and Travel Trade Forum The Best of Britain & Ireland (28 and 29 March) is preceded by the Best of Britain & Ireland Travel Trade Forum, which will be open to the travel trade from 26-27 March 2009 at ExCeL London. Registration for genuine travel trade is Free of Charge (registration available now via www.britainandirelandevent.co.uk)

The Best of Britain & Ireland consumer days are 28-29 March 2009. Adult tickets start at just �10, Tickets will be on sale from 1 December. For more information about the Show visit www.britainandirelandevent.co.uk.

Press are invited to visit the show on the trade days (26-27 March). Accredited press can register free of charge now via www.britainandirelandevent.co.uk.

The Show is organised by Best of Britain Events Ltd (BoBI Events) under licence from VisitBritain.

About Best of Britain Events Ltd Best of Britain Events Ltd is an independent professional exhibition and event organiser, headed by Single Market Events managing director Tim Etchells and London EventCo managing director Rob Mackenzie.

About VisitBritain VisitBritain is responsible for promoting Britain as a world class tourist destination and for developing England�s visitor economy. It has representatives in 36 countries around the world and, in the last three years, has expanded into China, throughout Eastern Europe and Southeast Asia, and increased its presence in India with representatives in Bangalore and Mumbai.

Provisional figures for 2008 indicate overseas residents made 32 million visits to the UK, down by -2% on 2007. They spent �16.4 billion, which before adjusting for inflation, is +3% up on 2007.

VisitBritain�s international website, www.visitbritain.com, was awarded World�s Leading Tourism Authority Internet Site for the fourth year in a row at the 2007 World Travel Awards by more than 200,000 travel and tourism professionals. With information provided in 26 different languages, every year over 12 million visits are made by international consumers to the 46 websites that make up visitbritain.com.