VisitBritain has announced the launch of a new four-year Event Support Programme, to attract more global business events to the UK.

The official tourist board for Great Britain said the programme offers advocacy and funding to grow and develop the UK’s international business events industry, currently worth around £19bn to the economy.

Tracey Crouch, tourism minister, said: “Britain is open for business and we want to encourage as many people to visit and organise their events in the UK. This new programme will help grow this multi-billion pound industry even further, boosting our economy and bringing more people to our shores.”

The programme is open to destination management organisations (DMOs) or venues and event organisers who are collaborating with DMOs and offers the chance to apply for funding from a pool of £1m annually.

Sally Balcombe, VisitBritain and VisitEngland chief executive said: “VisitBritain is committed to growing the UK’s valuable business visits and events sector and promoting its world-class destinations and venues to drive more inbound business tourism.

“By working with local organisations we can attract more lucrative international business events to Britain spreading the economic benefits of business tourism across all our nations and regions.”

For more information about the Event Support Programme (including criteria and the online application form) see: www.visitbritain.org/events-support-programme-overview.