Birmingham is aiming to cash in on the Jamaican sprint team’s love for the city with a new ‘BigupBirmingham’ campaign.

Visit Birmingham has embarked on a social media campaign using the hashtag after Usain Bolt, Yohan Blake and Warren Weir thanked the city for its support and hospitality during the Olympic Games, with Mo Farah also sending his praise.

Visit Birmingham is now encouraging the public to comment and post pictures through social media, while also embarking on a separate marketing campaign as part of Jeremy Hunt’s plans to bring more Chinese tourists into the UK. Birmingham Airport is getting in on the plans with an investment programme which will see a runway extension open in 2014. This will allow direct services to and from China, South America, Africa and the west coast of the USA.

The announcements come after the city posted a record visitor figures in 2011, up 740,000 to 33.5 million. Tourist spend in the city reached £4.9 billion, up 2% compared to 2010.

“Visitor numbers are at a six year peak and visitor spend has seen more jobs created in a sector that has become a driver of local – and national – economic growth. Birmingham is really upping its game as a visitor destination,” said Sir Albert Bore, leader of Birmingham City Council. 

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