inFocus: Britain

British tourism is experiencing a “Bridgerton”-fuelled surge, according to leading tour operator Evan Evans, which says the demand for the series’ UK filming locations has resulted in a staggering 276% increase in website visits for its Stonehenge & Bath private tours, while online searches for the Hampton Court & Windsor tours have climbed 140%.

VisitBritain is advising that the ETA (Electronic Travel Authorisation) program will be strictly enforced for visitors to the UK – including Canadians – effective Feb. 25. From that date onward, travellers without an approved ETA will not be permitted to board transportation to the UK or enter the country.

VisitBritain is hosting more than 70 international buyers – including delegates from Canada – on educational trips across England, Scotland and Wales this week as it seeks to boost growth in its inbound visitor economy, worth an estimated £34.6 billion in 2025.

The Bayeux Tapestry, the 11th-century artwork depicting the Norman conquest of England, is set be displayed in the U.K. for the first time in almost 1,000 years. The treasured medieval tapestry will be on loan from France and arrive at the British Museum in London, where it will star in a blockbuster exhibition from September to July 2027.

Goway is leaning into excitement for the FIFA World Cup this summer and consumer demand for special event experiences with new packages that combine a U.K. Premier League football (soccer) match with a theatrical show in London’s West End. 

According to the latest Scotland Visitor Survey, one in five visitors (19%) said film, TV or literature inspired their trip – a figure that rises to 37% for long-haul travellers.

They call it “coorie.” Based on the old Scottish word for nestling or snuggling, the concept today implies “embracing the great outdoors (no matter what the weather) and enjoying the cozy feeling of coming back to home comforts afterwards.”

Scotland is welcoming more international visitors than ever, making it the fastest-growing UK nation for inbound tourism, and VisitScotland is planning to continue the momentum at its Connect 2026 event in Glasgow in April. The annual trade event remains a vital platform for Scottish tourism businesses to connect with international tour operators and travel advisors while showcasing the country’s landscapes, culture, heritage, and welcoming experiences.

Whether by car, coach or luxury train, experiencing the lochs and glens and cultural highlights of Scotland has long been celebrated as one of Europe’s most stunning touring adventures. From the Edinburgh Festivals and the Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo to community and Highland Games events, summer in Scotland is never short of great events and experiences.

VisitBritain, in partnership with key Canadian tour operators and airlines, is hosting travel agent workshops in Calgary, Edmonton and Mississauga in October – starting next week – and reports that space is still available. Travel advisors will be able to learn more about products and itineraries available for clients wishing to England, Scotland and Wales in 2026 and beyond.

By Michael Baginski/  As Canadians “pivot” towards alternative destinations to the U.S. amidst ongoing Trump tribulations across the border, Britain is poised to pick up some of the pieces, with all signs pointing to a banner year for the destination this year and into 2026, according to VisitBritain.

By Michael Baginski/   VisitBritain’s flagship ‘Destination Britain Americas’ trade mission kicks off today as nearly 50 top trade buyers and media (including Travel Industry Today) arrive in Mexico’s Riviera Maya to connect with an equal number of British suppliers to facilitate and help grow tourism programs to Great Britain.

VisitBritain continues to raise the curtain on its ongoing international ‘Starring GREAT Britain’ marketing campaign this week at the Toronto International Film Festival. Launched earlier this year, the campaign is using the powerful draw of film and TV locations and places seen-on-screen to inspire visitors to discover more of Britain.

A facelift that restored London’s 166-year-old Big Ben clocktower to a sparkling shine was nominated Thursday for Britain’s leading architecture award. The RIBA Stirling Prize committee said the five-year refurbishment of the tower at Parliament is “a veritable masterclass in conservation and craftsmanship” that preserves a “defining symbol of British heritage.”