A new report from Deloitte – ‘Tourism: jobs and growth’ – outlines England’s central role in driving the future growth of tourism in the whole of the UK.

Worth £106bn and supporting 2.6 million jobs, English tourism is said to be key to an industry that has grown faster than manufacturing, construction and retail.

England’s tourism economy accounts for 8.8 per cent of the country’s GDP and 9.4 per cent of employment. Both the value of the sector and employment levels have grown in recent years, outperforming the wider economy which - the report says - further demonstrates the resilience of the industry during times of economic hardship.

For the first time, the report provides analysis for London and the rest of England separately, highlighting the importance of the industry throughout the whole of England.

Outside of London, tourism is worth £70bn and supports 1.9 million jobs, demonstrating the importance of the sector to the economic health of much of the country.

However, while for many international visitors London will be their first and sometimes only port of call, the report shows what it calls the ‘massive’ opportunity the rest of England has to use the capital’s international draw to inspire inbound visitors - both leisure and business - to explore destinations outside of London.