The changes to immigration control, announced by the Home Office last week, included the introduction of special controls for participants and accompanying persons at the Games.
The BVEP, which represents leading trade and professional associations within the business visits and event sector, said it has been calling for a special visa for all events attracting over 2,000 overseas visitors for some time, and hopes the introduction of one for the Commonwealth Games is just the beginning of the Home Office’s support.
Simon Hughes, vice chair of BVEP, said: "A special events visa was used during the London Olympic and Paralympic Games in 2012 and a similar approach will now be used in 2014 so we can see the value it brings to major events. Now it needs to be extended to other large-scale events, and not just a few irregular high-profile public events."
"Following the BVEP’s research on subvention, one of the key recommendations to make Britain more competitive internationally was the introduction of a special events visa for business events, conferences and trade shows, all of which drive UK enterprise and exports".
The BVEP said other immigration changes could help support the UK event industry such as allowing tourists and business visitors to do some study where it is not the main purpose of their visit, which could generate additional attendance at training seminars and educational conferences in Britain.
Expanding the activities a business visitor can do in the UK, and changes in the criteria for admission of artists, performers and musicians to include evidence of work at major festivals and cultural events have also been named as further changes.
Hughes added: "All of these changes will contribute to a more positive welcome to the UK for event organisers and their delegates. It also adds to a richer experience for delegates; they can extend their stay to include other educational opportunities or to do more business in the UK."
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