Research shows the UK could gain a £2b tourism legacy from the Olympics

Research released by VisitBritain on Tuesday (16 March) to mark the start of British Tourism Week, forecasts that tourism will be one of the UK's best performing sectors over the coming decade.

The research, carried out by Deloitte and Oxford Economics, shows that this year should see an additional 10,000 jobs supported by the visitor economy, which will mean that one in every 12 jobs in the UK will be supported by tourism. By 2020 tourism is expected to account for 2.9 million jobs in the UK.

"We now have the catalyst of being host to the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games to revitalise the welcome we offer the world, and I hope this research will underline what an historic opportunity we have to work for."

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By Janet Harmer

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