A new customer relations strategy: This year, 98% of VisitBritain's global customer business was conducted online compared to 40% eight years ago.

2008 VisitBritain, the national tourist office for England, Scotland and Wales, will close its New York walk-in visitor center.  The decision is part of a global strategy to refocus its customer service to the internet. 

Each month, nearly 250,000 visitors turn to the VisitBritain website to find everything from suggested itineraries to special discount packages at the country's best hotels, restaurants and attractions.  By logging on to the VisitBritain website, travelers searching for a British getaway can easily access thousands of pages of tourist information.

The tourist board's online shop allows customers to purchase a variety of travel cards, attraction passes and event tickets.  The best selling product is the Oyster Card. The popular transport card enables visitors to travel within London based on the lowest fares, and VisitBritain's online shop is one of the only places in the US to make a purchase.

VisitBritain Executive Vice President and Regional Director, Americas said: "VisitBritain prides itself on delivering high quality marketing and customer service in the U.S.  This change will enable us to focus more resources online, where the vast majority of our customers are and expand into new areas such as social media."

Beginning on Friday October 31, 2008, individuals requesting VisitBritain brochures and trip planners can place orders by email at travelinfo@visitbritain.org. All other VisitBritain USA functions will be unaffected by this change.  Staff in both the New York and Los Angeles offices will continue to run its marketing programs as normal with the organization's travel trade and media relations departments.