Ken Livingstone has received an award for his efforts to develop tourism in London during his tenure as Mayor of London.

Livingstone received the 2008 Tourism Society Award for his "recognition of the importance of tourism to London and his support for the tourism industry".

The award, given to organisations or individuals that have made an exceptional contribution to the development of tourism in the UK, was presented at the Tourism Society's 31st Annual Dinner at the House of Commons on 23rd October, by Society President Lord Thurso.

Announcing the award, the society's board members said that Livingstone understood tourism's importance and its potential - and radically changed its priority, backing this with adequate funds.

During his time as mayor, Livingstone transformed the London Tourist Board into a professionally run marketing organisation, wand allocated more than 10 times the previous budget to its operation.

On receiving the award, Livingstone said: "Many thanks for giving me this award. One of the best things about being Mayor of London was the chance to work with David Campbell and James Bidwell in transforming London's tourism offer.

"Over the next 15 years 400 million people in India, China and the rest of Asia will get the ability to come to the west as tourists. This is a huge opportunity to create jobs for Londoners just as long as they don't all come at the same time."