Tourism

Despite cultural organisations around the world closing their doors as a precaution to reduce the spread of coronavirus, access to history, art and culture is arguably now more important than ever, offering some much-needed respite during these anxious and uncertain times. From virtual tours and exhibitions to YouTube films and online audio guides, there are a number of ways to enjoy the architecture, interiors and collections at Waddesdon, the Rothschild House & Gardens in Buckinghamshire, from your home.

Brunswick Arts has compiled a database of cultural institutions and events affected by Coronavirus globally.

Please help us to keep this database up to date with the latest information by adding any institutions or events you’re aware of.

This Google Sheet can be edited by anyone, so that we have a centralised resource of those who are affected. 

VisitBritain is sponsoring the new Best of British category at the Off To Work Event Photography Awards 2020.

The awards honour photographers of all levels who contribute show-stopping imagery that supports the events industry in the UK.

Visitors spent £951 million in Britain in the last financial year as a result of activity by national tourism agency VisitBritain/VisitEngland according to their annual review.

This means that for every pound invested in the agency, visitors spent £23 in Britain. As well as the UK Government investment, the agency attracted £11.5 million of investment in cash and in-kind from commercial partners and delivered £1.9 million profit from its online shop, money which is reinvested into its activities to grow the value of tourism.

Martin Green CBE, former Chief Executive of Hull UK City of Culture 2017 and Head of Ceremonies for the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games, will curate, manage, and promote a UK-wide festival in 2022.

The major nationwide festival, backed by £120 million funding from government, was first announced in 2018. As a UK-wide celebration of the country's creativity and innovation, the festival will be designed in collaboration with the devolved administrations to showcase the best of our art, culture, heritage, design and technology sectors.

Coventry 2021 UK City of Culture has worked with The Weaver’s House and Uncommon Creative Studio to find a distinctive colour, dubbed 'Moving Blue'.

Whether its the dye used in the city’s medieval weaving trade, the colour of Coventry City’s shirts or the Blue Ribbon roundabout, Coventry's history runs blue. Coventry’s historic relationship with the colour will be brought to life across the course of this year with 366 properties and objects all being painted this particular shade.

VisitBritain has refreshed its Events Are GREAT creative to highlight the UK as a leading destination for international business events.

New imagery targets meeting, incentive and event planners by highlighting the country’s world-renowned research and expertise, global travel connections, high quality infrastructure and range of venues and incentive experiences.

Galleries and museums in the UK can now apply to be considered for Art Fund's Museum of the Year 2020, the world's biggest museum prize and the UK's largest art award.

Register for or login to your Art Fund account and apply before 12pm on 13 February 2020. The winning museum or gallery received £100,000 while named finalists each receive £10,000.

VisitBritain has announced that its largest annual global travel trade event Explore GB will take place in Belfast 18–20 May 2020.#

The event will see hundreds of international buyers meeting travel industry suppliers from across the UK to do business. Buyers and journalists from the UK’s largest inbound visitor markets including Australia, France, Germany and the US are expected to attend as well as from Brazil, Canada, China, India and the Gulf Coorperation Council (GCC) markets.

More people visited DCMS-sponsored British museums and galleries in 2018 than ever since records began 15 years ago.

Almost 50 million people were recorded as having visited a DCMS-sponsored museum and gallery last year, a 5.5 per cent increase on 2017/18.

There was also an 11 per cent jump in visitors to museums and galleries otuside of London in the same period, partially attributed to National Museums Liverpool's 20 per cent rise in visitors with the success of the China's First Emperor and the Terracotta Warriors exhibition.