The headline figure forms part of a new report called ‘Winning: A Tourism Strategy for 2012 and Beyond,’ drawn up with VisitBritain and Visit London, and published by the Tourism Minister Margaret Hodge.
It aims to provide a blueprint to help the £85 billion industry gear up for millions of new visitors in the lead up to and beyond London 2012.
Among many recommendations, the report sets out how tourism must engage all UK businesses in a new campaign aimed at domestic and overseas visitors starting at the Beijing handover in 2008.
“London 2012 is a huge opportunity for the UK tourism industry," said Margaret Hodge. “In five years time millions of visitors will be coming here for the first time and we want them to come back time and time again - and bring their family and friends. It’s about creating a lasting legacy.
“This strategy will help every sector of the industry - from the smallest B&B to the largest chain hotel, from the quiet seaside town to the noisy theme park - gear up, improve its service and improve its welcome in time for 2012.”
The government invests £50 million a year in VisitBritain. It is responsible for marketing Britain to oversees visitors as a holiday destination and marketing England as a destination to residents in this country. As a whole the public sector spends £300 million a year on supporting the tourism industry.
London is the number one city destination in the world. In 2006 the capital welcomed a record 15.6 million overseas visitors up 12.3 per cent on 2005.
