VisitEngland, the national tourist board, has reported the success of the first English Tourism Week. The national initiative was designed to raise the profile and importance of tourism, and showcase the value of the industry to both local communities and the economy.

As English Tourism Week begins, VisitEngland, the national tourist board has announced findings from the first survey of its kind on the importance of day visits to the domestic tourism industry. Also today, the UK and Europe’s biggest visitor attraction operator, Merlin Entertainments has linked VisitEngland to launch their first ever joint marketing campaign.

VisitEngland and the Rt Hon Jeremy Hunt, Secretary of State for Culture Media, Sport and the Olympics, have launched the tourist board’s biggest ever domestic tourism campaign which aims to boost tourism throughout the UK. The new television ad, which will air today, is part of a three year, £24 million marketing strategy which seeks to generate £480m by 2015.

Figures released today by VisitEngland, the national tourist board, reveal the number of domestic overnight trips taken in England in September last year grew by 22 per cent compared to 2010, while spend increased by 13 per cent. Holiday trips in particular were up by 19 per cent during September and visits to friends and relatives grew by 33 per cent, most probably boosted by the unusually warm weather enjoyed across the country.

Jeremy Hunt, the secretary of state for culture, Olympics, media and sport has launched VisitEngland’s 2012 holiday-at-home marketing campaign. The three-year campaign will kick off in February next year with a TV advertisement and is aimed at inspiring Britons to take more short-breaks in England.

VisitEngland has revealed attractions across the country saw a three per cent increase in admission numbers during 2010. Over the course of the year, non-charging attractions saw numbers increase by six per cent, with paid-for attractions reporting a decline of one per cent.