Business and Tourism Programme unveiled for Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games

Date posted: July 30, 2021
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A basketball hoop branded with the Birmingham 2022 commonwealth games

A programme to boost the long-term economic impact made by the Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games has been unveiled.

The Business and Tourism Programme (BATP) will build on the profile created by the Games to attract more visitors, trade, events and investment into Birmingham, the Midlands and the UK.

It will concentrate on nations and territories across the Commonwealth, plus the domestic UK market.

The programme is designed to secure more than £650 million of new overseas investment into the UK and create £7 million of additional export deals until 2027.

It is also expected to attract an additional 39,000 visitors to the region and UK until 2027, with an estimated £12 million in visitor spend.

The programme aims to benefit areas outside the West Midlands, across England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland.

Nigel Huddleston, Minister for Sport and Tourism, said:

Birmingham 2022 is a massive investment and tourism opportunity for the UK.

This programme is designed to ensure that businesses in the West Midlands and across the country can seize this opportunity and capitalise on the profile of the Games and its audience of 1.5 billion people.

We want to level-up the country and help the tourism sector bounce back swiftly in the aftermath of coronavirus. This campaign will enhance the global reputation of Birmingham, the West Midlands and the UK as a leading destination for trade, investment and tourism.

The programme runs from early 2021 until the end of 2023, taking advantage of opportunities before, during and after the Games.

Activity will include sales missions, showcase events, marketing campaigns and a media programme as well as targeted meetings with investors that will take place alongside cultural celebrations.

Showcase events supporting the Queen’s Baton Relay, Expo 2020 Dubai, and UK House during the Games will help demonstrate innovation and world-leading expertise to a global audience.

Graham Stuart, Minister for Exports, said:

The Commonwealth Games brings so many nations together and allows us to show that the UK is open for business, open to partnerships and ready to act as an independent, global trading hub to boost the economic prospects of Commonwealth partners.

Birmingham 2022 will boost exports, attract inward investment and give both the Midlands and the rest of the UK the shot in the arm required to recover from the pandemic and create more and better-paying jobs over the years to come.

By showcasing the best of the region and UK, the BATP is anticipated to create some 1,000 new jobs, with up to 600 of these roles based in the West Midlands.

The BATP’s trade and investment strands will focus on four key sectors: data-driven healthcare; creative technologies; future mobility; and modern business services.

The UK has been identified as a global leader in each industry, which will help to create new trading relationships and attract overseas investment.

The programme will also support sectors including e-commerce and the sports economy.

As the Games approaches, a business readiness campaign will help local hospitality businesses prepare the best welcome.

Tourists will be able to use a digital visitor platform and pop-up information sites to enjoy the experiences on offer.

After the Games, BATP activity will focus on supporting businesses looking to locate here, confirming export contracts, and securing capital investments to cement its economic legacy.

Tourists will be encouraged to visit again through targeted marketing activity, while bids to host more sports tournaments and major events will capitalise on the exposure from the Games.

Funding for the BATP comes from central and local government, comprising of £21.3 million announced in the Spring 2020 Budget and a £2.6 million investment confirmed by the West Midlands Combined Authority in June 2020.

The BATP has been developed by a range of regional and national partners, including the Department for Digital, Culture, Media & Sport, West Midlands Combined Authority, West Midlands Growth Company, the Department for International Trade, and VisitBritain.

They are working closely with the Organising Committee for the Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games, Birmingham City Council and the Commonwealth Games Federation to deliver the BATP.

For the latest on our region, subscribe to Midlands Matters, the official newsletter of the Midlands Engine.
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