Few British industries are as strong as travel and tourism, and few have such growth potential. But achieving this will not be easy. It requires an unprecedented level of collaboration and partnership between the travel industry, the public sector and Government.

Research (from Tourism Economics) has shown that if we can get the right partnerships, the right marketing and the right policy actions we can increase inbound visitor numbers from 31 million to 40 million by the end of the decade - an increase of 9 million visitors by 2020 creating £8.7 billion a year in additional foreign exchange earnings and over 200,000 more jobs.

This week a highly influential tourism delegation from the UK has been visiting Shanghai and Tokyo, capitalising on the renewed interest in Britain post-London 2012 and the Queen's Diamond Jubilee.

Britain's Diamond Jubilation celebration in June was as memorable as last year's Royal Wedding, and in a matter of days we'll be welcoming the world to Britain as London plays host to greatest show on earth for a record third time.