On 18 March, VisitEngland launched England's first strategic tourism framework for 10 years at London’s Olympia Exhibition Centre during British Tourism Week. England’s most iconic actresses, Joanna Lumley, opened the event followed by presentations from the tourism Minister, Rt Honorable Margaret Hodge MP, the Chairman of VisitEngland, Lady Cobham and Chief Executive of VisitEngland, James Berresford.

The visitor economy is currently worth £97billion a year and employs over 2 million people.  The strategic framework sets out the priorities for the next 10 years and anticipates a total growth overall, year on year, of some 5%, which will deliver an extra 225,000 jobs and grow the visitor economy by a further £50billion over the period.

Speaking at the launch, both Lady Cobham and James Berresford stressed the importance of tourism, not just in terms of its positive impact on the economy measured by income, but also for the impact it has on skills and jobs and for driving up standards.  VisitEngland will take a coordinating role to encourage everyone with an interest and stake in England’s tourism to play their part in helping realise the full potential of the industry.

For a copy of James Berresfords presentation click here

If you missed the launch event or would like to watch the presentations from the day again, please click on the video below.