VisitBritain and UKinbound last night announced the creation of the first British Tourism Week, to be held between 12-18 March 2007.

Unveiling the initiative at a Parliamentary Reception, VisitBritain chief executive Tom Wright said: “If Britain is to continue to rival its competitors around the world and be ready to welcome the world in the build up to 2012 and beyond, we must work together to lay the foundations that will help ensure the future growth and prosperity of our visitor economy.

“British Tourism Week will, by bringing together businesses and their employees from every sector, help redefine both the image and the reality of British tourism in the important years ahead.”

The event is supported by the Tourism Alliance and the Tourism Society and will be used to highlight the contribution made by the UK tourism industry and promote its development. It will incorporate VisitBritain’s British Travel Trade Fair on 13-14 March and UKinbound’s 30th Anniversary Convention on 14-15 March.

“Tourism’s importance to the UK’s economy is often unappreciated, despite continued growth and record numbers of visitors,” said UKinbound chief executive Stephen Dowd.

“Our industry suffers when we fail to recognise that every business contributes to a greater whole. Together, during British Tourism Week, we hope to change the perception that the different sectors – from transport and tour operators to accommodation providers, travel agencies and attractions – operate independently.” Details: www.visitbritain.com/corporate or www.ukinbound.org