Yesterday, at the British Museum in London the Secretary of State for Culture, Olympics, Media & Sport, Jeremy Hunt, called on tourism businesses to back the ‘Holidays at Home are GREAT’ campaign aimed at boosting domestic tourism this year. The event was one of many that Mr Hunt has recently hosted travelling around the country to engage with the British tourism industry, and encourage support during this exciting year for British tourism.

Aimed at inspiring more Brits to take a holiday at home this year, the campaign will feature a website offering thousands of special deals worth at least 20.12% off. Special offers will include hotel stays, meals, tickets to attractions and other exciting experiences. Partners who have already signed up include: De Vere; Travelodge; Golden Tours; Millennium Copthorne; Hoseason’s Group; Bourne Leisure; Superbreak; The Eden Project; and The Coach Tourism Council.

Led by national tourist board, VisitEngland, and supported by the home nation tourist boards of Scotland, Wales, Northern Ireland and London, the campaign will launch on the 8 March with a celebrity-led TV advertisement. The advertisement will show case the country and highlight the key events taking place including the London 2012 Olympic & Paralympic Games, the Torch Relay, London 2012 Festival, and the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee.

The event at the British Museum was attended by London & Partners and over 200 tourism businesses and stakeholders from across the capital.

James Berresford, VisitEngland’s Chief Executive said: “This year is an unprecedented opportunity for this country to engage with new audiences and inspire visits from overseas and at home. This is the year to take a break at home - with so much going on throughout the country there really is no better place to be.  We want to work with the industry to incentivise Brits by offering them thousands of reasons to choose this country first for a holiday. Join us in making this year a great year for British tourism!”.