The country’s national tourist board – VisitEngland – has laid out its first Strategic Tourism Framework, detailing action needed to maximize the tourism industry’s contribution to England’s economy, employment and quality of life. The body confirmed the plans would seek to raise an additional £50bn in visitor spending over the next decade, while also creating over 225,000 jobs.

New figures released today by VisitEngland from the United Kingdom Tourism Survey show that holiday trips taken by UK residents in England in the first six months of 2009 are up by 14%, while outbound travel saw a 17% drop.

1.2 million more holidays taken in England as Brits take breaks closer to home