VisitBritain is looking to capitalise on search-engine optimisation to better market the UK as a visitor destination.

The organisation is looking for a supplier to provide search-engine marketing technology to promote its website and online stores. It is seeking a provider that can offer search engine optimisation and pay-per-click services in at least 10 languages, including English, French, German, and Italian, “with further languages being a possibility. 

Potential suppliers have until 4 January to submit their bids, with a two-year contract due to go live on 1 February. No spending limit was specified, but VisitBritain said that “the appointed agency must keep within agreed spend which could change dependant on business and market requirements”.

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The authority added: “The purpose of this contract is to find an agency that is able to undertake search-engine marketing for VisitBritain online shops with the aim of increasing revenue from this marketing channel and maximising return on investment, in line with the network growth ambitions.”

VisitBritain is the UK’s national tourist agency, and operates as a non-departmental body. It is funded by the Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport. 

In the 2016/17 year VisitBritain posted a £2.23m profit, which it ploughed back into marketing the country as a tourist destination. The organisation claims it its work brought in an extra £872m in tourism revenue for the UK during the year.