Cameron launches "Great" Britain tourism drive

Prime minister, David Cameron, has launched a new tourism campaign that aims to put the "Great" back into Britain.

Over half a million pounds will be spent on the campaign that aims to highlight the country's broad appeal in fields such as sport, art, business and music.

Ideally the prime minister will be hoping that the world will not see Britain in a negative light following the urban riots of August, Telegraph.co.uk commented in a news report.

"We want to extend an invitation to the world to take a fresh look at everything we have to offer," Mr Cameron told New York business leaders on Wednesday. "Britain today is simply a great place to visit, study and work. A great place to invest and do business."

Mr Cameron went on to sell events such as the Olympics and the Queen's Diamond Jubilee to delegates.

Visit London, the UK's national tourism board, is expecting to rake in £1 billion from the Great campaign, by attracting an extra four million visitors next year, the Mail Online reveals.

The Olympics in particular will deliver "a lasting economic legacy that will benefit the whole country", explained Cameron, recognising that locations throughout Britain will stage various different events.

For example, visitors from the nearby continent who want to visit the sailing event in Weymouth could contribute towards the economy by staying in hotels in the south of England or by taking out car hire. Portsmouth is just one such location that could receive a boost in this way thanks to its ferry ties with France.

"This campaign is simple," he continued. "There are so many great things about Britain and we want to send out the message loud and proud."