A national tourism agency which aims to attract four million more visitors to the UK in the next four years is urging the people of Norfolk and Waveney to invite their loved ones from around the world to visit the area.

As part of VisitBritain's 'Great Britain – You're Invited' marketing programme, the agency wants local communities and businesses to make use of 'Share Your Great Britain' – a new free online tool kit.

Asa Morrison, Waveney District Council's principal service manager for culture, tourism, sport and leisure, said: 'It's a brilliant idea and will promote Britain as a place to visit, with plenty of emphasis on the 'great'.

'It is absolutely fantastic news for the tourism industry and a welcome boost highlighting what Great Britain has to offer the rest of the world.'

Chris Scargill, tourism and leisure partner at Larking Gowen Chartered Accountants, added: 'Tourism is currently estimated to be worth �2.6bn to Norfolk's economy, with some 50,000 people employed full and part-time.

'The target of attracting four million more overseas visitors to England adds approximately 10pc to the existing visitor activity, over the four-year period.

'Our share of the overseas market is currently only 3pc of our tourism income, so it is very much an area where we could improve.

'Hopefully tying in this initiative with the Olympics and Diamond Jubilee year will create a legacy from which Norfolk can benefit.'

To download a free tool kit please visit www.visitbritain.org

The deadline for the EDP Larking Gowen Tourism Business Survey is January 29. Take part now at www.edp24.co.uk/tourismsurvey

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