Culture secretary, Tessa Jowell, has today revealed government plans to propel UK tourism from a £76bn a-year to a £100bn a-year industry by 2010.

Tomorrow’s Tourism Today has been published as a joint prospectus between the Department of Media and Culture (DCMS), industry members and local government and sets out the responsibilities for key partners in the sector.

There are four joint priorities outlined in the publication; marketing and e-tourism; accommodation quality; workforce skills and data collection.

The fifth priority is solely for the DCMS – to advocate tourism across Whitehall and the European Union (EU).

Tessa Jowell said: “Tomorrow’s Tourism Today will help us take this multi-billion pound industry to the next level, by setting out common objectives and action plans with clear responsibilities for all.

“In time, it will help deliver ever more successful businesses, which provide a diverse range of experiences for discerning consumers.

“With the industry and the public sector working in tandem, it will provide an aid to market the great attractions and events we have to offer.”

The four key areas will be overseen and monitored by the newly established Tourism Review and Implementation Group (TRIG), chaired by tourism minister, Richard Caborn.

TRIG will also draw on and contribute to a range of other government efforts to improve the industry, such as the work of People 1st, the new Sector Skills Council and the Quality Review Group, chaired by Alan Britten.

Tom Wright, chief executive, Visit Britain, said: “We welcome the establishment of the TRIG and the stated role of DCMS as an advocate for tourism across the whole of Whitehall, reminding all that investment in tourism is an investment in the health and wealth of the economy.”

The proposals were received with mixed reviews at the House of Commons.

Don Foster MP, liberal democrat shadow culture, media and sport secretary, said: "If this were a business prospectus, the Government wouldn't stand a chance of getting a loan on it.

"It is almost devoid of targets, deadlines, aspirations and budgets. Just a week after the Spending Review it is amazing that the 'prospectus' makes no mention of the Government's own budget for tourism.

The publication follows less than a month after a report by the DCMS slammed the quality of data currently available for the tourism industry.

The report said: “Due to the sheer diversity of tourism services, we have come to believe that there is no other section in the UK economy as significant as tourism in which the key strategic and management decisions are so hampered by a lack of adequate data.” Details: www.culture.gov.uk