Welcome to Hidden Heritage, where we invite you to delve into the captivating world of British heritage! In this episode, you'll join host Lady Violet Manners as she engages in a dynamic conversation with Patricia Yates, CEO of Visit Britain, to uncover the intriguing blend of history, investment, and tourism shaping the British heritage landscape.

Tune in to discover how the UK's rich heritage is experiencing a revival post-Covid, the exciting developments in promoting historic houses and gardens, and the strategic efforts to attract international visitors. With key insights into the interconnected realm of heritage, tourism, and cultural preservation, this episode promises to inspire and encourage you to embark on your own journey of exploration. So, grab your headphones and get ready to be transported into the vibrant world of British heritage!

Key Points:

00:00:01 Introduction

00:01:50 Patricia Yates explains the role of Visit Britain

00:03:20 Discussing the importance of tourism to the UK economy

00:04:57 Patricia's background and how she got into tourism

00:06:54 The rise of heritage and period dramas like Bridgerton

00:13:48 Balancing tourism and sustainability for heritage sites

00:16:29 Patricia's first experiences with heritage (Hever Castle)

00:18:08 Historic houses/sites Patricia wants to visit (Muncaster Castle, Bishop Auckland)

00:19:24 The Blenheim Palace fashion exhibition

00:20:38 Why it's important for Brits to explore UK heritage

00:22:14 Upcoming plans and campaigns for Visit Britain

00:25:44 Popular historic houses/sites for visitors 00:28:24 Hopes for the future of UK heritage

00:29:54 Quick-fire questions (favourite historic house, garden, period drama etc.)

00:31:04 Closing remarks

Guest Info:

Patricia is the CEO of VisitBritain/VisitEngland, a position she has held since 2022. With a background in journalism and consumer advocacy, Patricia started her career editing publications like Holiday Which? and the Which? Guide to Hotels. She is responsible for overseeing the day-to-day operations of VisitBritain/VisitEngland and its global network, focused on building partnerships to grow tourism value across Britain. Patricia also chairs the Tourism Industry Emergency Response group and is an observer on the board of the Tourism Alliance.

About:

Step inside Britain’s greatest Historic Houses, gardens and family homes through HeritageXplore, your digital gateway to discovering heritage today. Visit https://www.heritagexplore.com/

Links and Resources:

Thank you to the Georgian Society for the use of their venue to film this podcast. For more information, head to www.georgiansocietygroup.com

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