Prime Minister Gordon Brown has given his support to British Tourism Week.

He released a video-message to coincide with the start of the annual promotion of UK tourism.

Brown praised the “magnificent countryside, our dynamic cities and our world class events �" the unique attractions of a country where heritage and history sit comfortably within a vibrant modern culture”.

He stressed the importance of doing “everything we can to boost tourism and to spread the legacy of these once-in-a-lifetime events [2012 Olympic Games and 2014 Commonwealth Games] throughout the nations and the regions of Britain”.

The Prince of Wales also praised tourism as “one of this country’s great success stories” and British Tourism Week’s recognition of the “huge economic difference which [tourism] makes to local communities throughout the country”.

He spoke of the unique and precious assets that “lie at the very heart of what makes the United Kingdom such as premier tourist destination” and the need to “value and preserve them”.

The messages came as British Tourism Week was launched yesterday with an event for 150 tourism businesses in London attended by culture secretary Andy Burnham, tourism minister Margaret Hodge and Conservative shadow culture minister Tobias Ellwood.

The two-day British Travel Trade Fair opens today in Birmingham.

VisitBritain chief executive Tom Wright said: “If we are to maintain our success in a world of ever-increasing competition, we must ensure the welcome we offer our visitors is of a globally high standard.

“British Tourism Week will help us remind MPs, the media, opinion-leaders and consumers of the huge range of quality holidays that Brits and international visitors can enjoy here and get them to take a break over Easter and the summer ahead.”

Stephen Dowd, co-chairman of British Tourism Week’s multi-sector steering committee and chief executive of UKinbound, said: “Around 2.1 million people �" nearly eight per cent of the workforce �" in a wide range of sectors depend on tourism for their jobs and livelihoods. The nation’s fifth biggest economy is worth £85 billion and provides opportunities at every possible skill level and that’s why it’s vital for regeneration and the employment of younger people.”

by Phil Davies