As Olympic fever grips London, 12 international journalists in England to cover the Games ventured outside the capital today to Bristol and sample the city’s top attractions – including tonight’s spectacular Balloon Fiesta Night Glow.
Highlights – in every sense of the word – of the whistle-stop, 24-hour tour include a helicopter ride and, of course, the opportunity to take to the skies with an unforgettable early morning hot air balloon ride.
The dozen journalists come from as far afield as China, America and Brazil, and from European countries including Poland and Germany. They started their visit this afternoon with a tour of the Clifton Suspension Bridge. From there, they are being taken to Bristol, where helicopters will be on hand to fly them back to Bristol and direct into Ashton Court for the Balloon Fiesta celebrations and a VIP tour.
Here they will have the opportunity to meet some of the big names behind the Fiesta, including Clive Bailey of Bailey Balloons, Nic Amor of Bristol Balloons and Chris Hathaway, chairman of the Fiesta’s Organising Committee.
The trip has been organised by as one of a number of events to boost the local tourism industry.
Destination Bristol managing director John Hallett said: “We are delighted to welcome into Bristol such a diverse group of international media. This is an excellent opportunity to showcase the best of Bristol’s tourism offering at a time when there is so much interest in Britain based on the Olympic Games.”
Tomorrow morning the journalists will be return to the Fiesta for balloon rides, followed by a walking tour of Bristol’s street art scene (including Nelson Street's pioneering ‘See No Evil’ project) before boarding a Bristol Packet Boat for a tour of the Harbourside.
