Isle of Man Tourism is set to exhibit at two major travel industry exhibitions next week to showcase the best of the Isle of Man. Best of Britain and Ireland trade exhibition takes place on Wednesday 16th and Thursday 17th March and The Education Show follows from Thursday 17th until Saturday 19th March. Both shows are to be held at the National Exhibition Centre in Birmingham. Best of Britain is organised in partnership with VisitBritain. The show is the centrepiece of British Tourism Week and the official travel trade event of the year, providing business and networking opportunities for exhibitors and trade visitors from overseas and the domestic market. Minister for the Department of Economic Development, Allan Bell MHK, will be attending the Best of Britain and Ireland Forum to take part in The Tourism Society’s Tourism Question Time which will take place on the main stage on Wednesday. Also taking centre stage will be UK Minister for Tourism and Heritage John Penrose MP, James Berresford Chief Executive, VisitEngland, Simon Gregory Director of Markets, Tourism Ireland and Riddell Graham Director of Partnerships, VisitScotland. The event will be chaired by Ken Robinson FTS, Policy and Advocacy Task Group Chairman, The Tourism Society. This annual event is an opportunity to hear the Government’s new tourism strategy and how it will affect the tourism industry. It is one of the few occasions where tourism policy is discussed by both decision-makers and the industry. The Education Show is the UK’s largest educational resources event and Isle of Man Tourism representatives will be promoting all the Isle of Man has to offer educational groups, from our cultural heritage sites to adventurous activities. Tourism Representatives will be joined by a number of industry partners during the week including Isle of Man Steam Packet Company, Manx National Heritage and Ivor Morgan, Chairman of the School Journeys Association. Minister for the Department of Economic Development, Allan Bell MHK, said: ‘I am looking forward to Best of Britain and Ireland and I am delighted to be taking part in The Tourism Society’s Tourism Question Time debate. This exhibition is the perfect opportunity to generate business through establishing and building relationships with tour operators and coach companies. Exhibitions give us the chance to showcase and spread the word personally to prospective visitors and there is always a good level of interest in the products our Island has to offer.’ Visitors to the Isle of Man stand at both exhibitions will also have an opportunity to win a fantastic Manx food hamper courtesy of www.isleofmanhampers.com . - Ends -