Tourism body, VisitBritain, and Food from Britain (FFB) have launched a food tourism initiative.

More than £2.3bn was spent on food and drink by overseas visitors in 2001 alone and the scheme will help tourism professionals and regional food and drink producers to capitalise on the growing demand from home and overseas visitors for quality local and regional produce.

The first in a series of food tourism initiatives – The Food and Drink in Britain Advisory Guide – was unveiled at the launch and is available from VisitBritain. The guide is a "call to action" for both tourism and food and drink businesses to work more profitably together to expand Britain’s food tourism offer.

Elsewhere, a new dedicated food and drink area on VisitBritain’s website is set to be launched by the end of the year, providing visitors with a definitive guide to Britain’s culinary heritage. Details: www.visitbritain.org