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Issues and crisis management
WINNER
Minimising the Impact of 7 July and 21 July 2005 on Tourism
VisitBritain on behalf of Tourism Industry Emergency Response Group
Following last year's 7 July terror attacks , the Tourism Industry Emergency Response Group (TIER), comprising VisitLondon, VisitBritain and other industry bodies, leapt into action to provide accurate information to reassure visitors.
Set up in response to the effects of the Foot and Mouth outbreak, TIER was determined to protect the nation's £74bn visitor economy and the industry's 2.1 million workers.
The aim was to speak as one voice to deliver 'business as usual' messages to the media, limit speculation about the possible financial impact of the attacks and kick-start tourism recovery.
Judges commended VisitBritain for establishing security and transport advice with agreed key messages. It was also Impressed with updated media statements, Q&A documents and reassurances that were disseminated by TIER members through their call centres and websites.
On 8 July, TIER issued statements saying that visitors could continue to travel to London and the rest of Britain as planned. This was supported by endorsement from groups such as the American Society of Travel Agents and the World Tourism Organisation, plus the Mayor of London and former Mayor of New York Rudi Giuliani.
TIER members also commissioned an independent assessment of the financial impact on tourism of the terror strikes through researcher Oxford Economic Forecasting.
To demonstrate to journalists that confidence in London as a destination remained high, VisitBritain raised the profile of existing opportunities planned with overseas markets. These included the first group tour by Chinese leisure visitors since the UK gained Approved Destination Status from the Chinese Government, and a series of Good Morning America broadcasts live from London.
The result was a lack of sensational headlines about tourism troubles and only a brief downturn in business. Overall, 2005 was a record year for tourism, with an eight per cent increase in visitor numbers compared with 2004.
HIGHLY COMMENDED
Media management of 7 July 2005 terrorist attacks on the Transport for London network
Transport for London
Transport for London demonstrated calmness and clarity under intense pressure to handle the media frenzy around the bombings on 7 July.
This was achieved by liaising with partners, including the Metropolitan Police, to ensure messages were clear, and staff and the public informed.
Duties were round-the-clock and included managing three joint press conferences, ten press bulletins and hundreds of media requests.
FINALIST
24 hours to make Stockport Safe
Stockport Council
