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If the capacity of airports and the number of hotel rooms were increased, more people would visit the United Kingdom, a leading tourism expert has said.

World Travel and Tourism Council (WTTC) president, Jean-Claude Baumgarten, also said the 2012 Olympic Games in London offered a "huge" opportunity. He also warned that value for money was vital for tourists who saw London as an expensive destination. Mr Baumgarten was speaking as a WTTC report on UK tourism was published. He said that World Travel and Tourism Council's research shows that UK travel and tourism is in a strong position and is expected to do well in the next decade but there is no room for complacency. Jean-Claude Baumgarten also said that competitive stakes will rise as more governments appreciate travel and tourism as a key social and economic driver. He noted that if the full potential of travel and tourism growth in the UK is to be realised over the coming years, it is crucial that infrastructure is developed accordingly. This includes airport capacity, accommodation stock and transport infrastructure. The WTTC, a forum for business leaders in the travel and tourism industry, estimates that travel and tourism accounts for 2.6 million jobs in the UK. The sector is expected to grow at 3.1% a year over the next 10 years.
But Mr Baumgarten said steps must be taken now to ensure the Olympic Games fulfilled its potential for tourism.
"It is clear that the Olympics will provide a huge opportunity for UK travel and tourism," he said.
"Nevertheless, clear planning and resource allocation are necessary to ensure that the Olympic legacy for tourism is created."
Paul Deighton, chief executive of the London Organising Committee of the Olympics, said it was already working closely with tourism organisations.
"We are fully aware of the important role of travel and tourism in the successful execution of the 2012 Olympics.
"Along with VisitBritain, the Department of Culture, Media and Sport and the travel and tourism industry, we are identifying ways in which travel and tourism and the Olympics can work hand-in-hand to generate growth, jobs and new opportunities before, during and after 2012."

source: bbc.co.uk