VisitBritain, the national tourism agency for Britain, has partnered with TUI to introduce ‘Romance in Britain’ holiday packages. All the packages include key Bollywood movie locations spread across Britain including London, Oxford, Manchester, Cardiff in Whales and Edinburgh in Scotland. Also, VisitBritain has appointed Saif Ali Khan, popular actor in the Bollywood industry, as the spokesperson for this campaign.
Speaking about the campaign, Sumathi Ramanathan, regional manager- Asia Pacific and Middle East, VisitBritain said, “VisitBritain has a long relationship with Bollywood, directors have shot films in various locations in Britain from 1960s to 1970s. The new concept which we are promoting is Set Jetting, which is exploring the various locations where the films were shot. This year we are launching this theme Bollywood and Romance to tap the honeymooners segment. Our partners, TUI have developed various packages from three nights to nine night, we have chosen around 50 locations which we will be promoting.”
“In 2013, we have welcomed 375,000 visitors from India which is a 10 per cent increase from 2012. In 2014, till Q3 (January to September) we have received around 312,000 travellers from India (26 per cent increase as compared to the same period in 2013),” added Ramanathan.
Vishal Sinha, chief operating officer, TUI India said, “Britain has always been a favourite destination with the Indian film fraternity. Blockbusters like Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge, Kabhi Khushi Kabhi Gham and more have been shot here. We have also been getting a lot of queries from Indian honeymooners to visit the country. We have launched a contest for two Indian couples to win their honeymoon to experience the destination.”
Saif Ali Khan said, “I think there is so much that Britain has to offer right from countryside experiences, food and museum to theatre, music and nightlife. My family has a deep connection with Britain as I have completed my education there and also as an actor have shot many movies in this destination.”