The second annual British Tourism Week (BTW) takes place from Monday 10 March to Tuesday 18 March and, with support of His Royal Highness the Prince of Wales, aims to galvanise organisations and individuals to take pride in being part of the tourism industry.

BTW 2008 marks the start of the year in which Britain prepares for the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games, taking the torch from Beijing ahead of the four-year Cultural Olympiad.

Building on the success of BTW 2007 which featured over 50 events across the country, the series of inter-related events will raise national and international awareness of the size, value and importance of Britain’s £85 billion visitor economy, highlighting the contribution made by businesses large and small, public and commercial. Once again VisitBritain’s British Travel Trade Fair (11-12 March 2008) will be the centrepiece for other national, regional and local events.

This year BTW follows a sustainable tourism theme, ahead of VisitBritain’s plans to launch new measures to support the industry and responsible tourism.

The BHA is supporting BTW 2008 and we urge our members to get behind this initiative which has events taking place in all of the regions.

A successful innovation from last year’s event was for operators to write to their MP/MSP/AM and invite them to visit their hotel or restaurant during British Tourism Week and really get to know the local area. Some organised meetings for the politicians to meet a range of industry figures.

There are many ways to get involved but whatever you decide to do, your event needs to be accredited for it to be included in the events listing, for further information and a full calendar of events please go to the website: www.britishtourismweek.co.uk and click on ‘how do I get involved?’

Photograph: HRH Prince of Wales launches BTW 2007, Tower of London