Britain's largest ever "tourism" army heads to Shanghai

Every part of Britain will have a story to tell, from historic Scotland, the scenic Lake District, tourism in Wales along with many of Britain's major cities.[Photo/IC]

Britain's largest ever tourism trade mission to China was preparing to leave for Shanghai Saturday.

More than 80 travel trade delegates from Britain, including officials from tourism bodies, hotels, retailers and tour operators, will showcase Britain as a destination to Chinese buyers at a VisitBritain "Destination Britain China" three day event, being held in Shanghai starting on Nov 21.

More than 7,000 business appointments will take place during the three-day trade fair, giving more than 100 buyers from 15 cities across China the chance to see the latest tourism products and services from across Britain, with more than half of the delegates attending for the first time.

Britain's most romantic marriage spot, Scotland's Gretna Green, will be represented with stories of how eloping teenage brides from England made the dash across the border to be married in the blacksmith's shop in front of an iron anvil.

Castles and Britain's royal palaces, as well as popular destinations such as Shakespeare's England will be highlighted.

There will even be a team from central London, promoting the capital's famous Chinatown along with the theaters of the West End and London's fashionable Carnaby Street.

Every part of Britain will have a story to tell, from historic Scotland, the scenic Lake District, tourism in Wales along with many of Britain's major cities.

Destination Britain China has been running since 2009 and is an important event in VisitBritain's travel industry calendar, said a spokeswoman for the organisation.