An estimated 3,750 business events in Bath last year brought £24.4m to the city – a 15% increase on 2009, according to a report commissioned by Bath Tourism Plus (BTP).
The research into the conference and events market, produced by TEAM Tourism consulting, also revealed that an estimated 161,000 delegates attended business events in the city in 2011, with an average event duration of 1.6 days.
The corporate sector accounted for the majority of events – some 74% – while the average day delegate rate (DDR) was £51 against the UK average of £41.
The TEAM report measured the value and characteristics of Bath’s conference and events market and drew on data provided by conference venues across the city to the UK Events Market Trends Survey (UKEMTS).
These findings coincide with BTP’s continued marketing drive to encourage more conference and event organisers to bring their business to Bath.
The campaign includes attendance at key national and international exhibitions and the re-launch of the city’s Conference Venues website, www.bathconference.co.uk.
Launched at the end of July, the website features a new design and enhanced functionality that enables organisers to enter their requirements and search more than 40 Bath venues to find the perfect venue for their meeting, conference or incentive trip.
For those who require extra help, the new system also allows users to complete an enquiry form, which is sent directly to staff at Bath Tourism Plus, who are able to provide expert advice.
Bath Tourism Plus Chief Executive Nick Brooks Sykes, pictured, said: “These figures are a tremendous boost for the city and highlight the valuable contribution business tourism makes to Bath’s visitor economy.
“In our strategy, we set ourselves a target of attracting 169,000 business delegates to Bath by 2014, so it’s great to see that we’re already well on the way to achieving this.”
