National tourism agency VisitBritain has urged the official association for the UK’s travel agents and tour operators – the Association of British Travel Agents’ (ABTA) – to host its 2008 convention in England.

VisitBritain’s CEO, Tom Wright, wrote to ABTA, saying: “We would be delighted to see such a prestigious travel event chose England. A domestic conference will be affordable and accessible for your members.

“We believe that the case for a domestic event is stronger than ever. In 2008 London will have been handed the Olympic baton and the Liverpool ‘08 celebrations will be in full swing, creating a real buzz about holidaying at home.

“Hosting the ABTA convention in England is an unmissable opportunity to remind travel agents and tour operators of the tourism products and wealth of quality-assessed accommodation that this country has to offer.”

Market trends have shown that potential earnings from domestic breaks are on the increase. In 2005, UK residents took 59.3 million domestic holidays of one night or more, spending £11.5bn, and the English made 870 million tourism day visits worth £37.4bn in England alone.

More recently, around 17 million Britons planned overnight trips during the winter holiday period, of which 85 per cent comprised domestic breaks. Details: www.visitbritain.com