THE chairman of VisitWiltshire Peter Wragg has welcomed the government’s commitment to improve tourism in the South West at a meeting with Prime Minister David Cameron.

The Government has announced a new five point plan to boost tourism across the UK to spread the benefits of one of the country’s fastest growing sectors beyond London.

The Prime Minister’s new tourism plan will include setting up a new group to coordinate activity across government and will focus on five key areas including; a better co-ordinated sector, skills and jobs, common sense regulation, transport and an improved welcome.

It also includes the £5m South West Tourism Growth Fund for tourism investment which was announced by Government earlier this year, to grow tourism, deliver economic growth and boost export earnings in the South West of England.

Wiltshire's visitor economy currently generates an estimated £1.5billion and supports more than 28,000 jobs.

Chairman of VisitWiltshire, the official tourist board for Wiltshire, Peter Wragg said: “We are pleased to hear the government are supporting the industry with a new tourism plan, and delighted this includes encouraging VisitBritain to promote destinations outside London.

“We look forward to working with other South West destinations to benefit from the SW Tourism Growth Fund to support the existing work being undertaken by VisitWiltshire to ensure visitors stay and spend in the county.

“We also welcome the government’s recommendation tasking VisitEngland to work in closer partnership with VisitWiltshire and other South West destinations.”