Tourism generates £76 billion a year for the British economy, according to latest figures.
Despite taking big knocks in recent months, tourism is still the UK's sixth largest industry, statistics from the VisitBritain organisation have revealed.
Tourism employs almost 1.8 million people - more than six per cent of the total workforce, including 350,000 jobs in London.
Despite events such as the foot-and-mouth outbreaks and September 11, the tourism industry remains ahead of agriculture, financial services, public administration and transport.
Monday August 11 2003
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules hereComments are closed on this article