The BTA has welcomed the government's decision to grant an additional £12m to counter the foot and mouth crisis. Culture Secretary, Chris Smith, announced today that the government is granting the £12m, in addition to last month's £6m rescue package, to help restore confidence in the industry worth more than £12.5bn annually to the economy. After repeated calls for further cash, the tourism industry welcomes the move enabling the BTA to embark on a tactical marketing campaign to restore inbound tourism to Britain. BTA chair David Quarmby welcomes the additional funding: We can now get straight on with promotional activities in all the affected markets to boost visits from overseas for the summer, and with initiating a longer term programme to represent Britain to the world, starting in the autumn. The marketing campaign follows last fortnight's world travel leaders summit, which the BTA dubbed 'an unqualified success'. The English Tourism Council, however, is 'disappointed' that the £12m has been granted to promote inbound tourism only. ETC chief executive, Mary Lynch, commented: The ETC is deeply disappointed at the government's failure to recognise the importance of people who take their holidays at home to the tourism industry. Nearly £4 out of every £5 spent on tourism in England comes from people who live here. This announcement comes as a body blow to tourism businesses in the countryside who rely on loyal British customers, she added. The ETC has bid for £35m from the Treasury to support English tourism since the foot and mouth crisis and has so far received £3.8m.