Cameron speech supports tourist industry

Cameron speech supports tourist industry; - And of course here at the Serpentine Gallery where last year’s Pavilion by SANAA became the third most visited exhibition for architecture and design in the world and SANAA has just won this year’s prestigious Pritzker prize. People sometimes characterise culture as a choice between old and new; between classical or pop, great heritage or modern art. But in Britain it’s not one or the other, it’s both. It’s Glyndebourne and Glastonbury. The Bristol Old Vic and the Edinburgh Fringe. The Bodleian Library and the Hay literary festival. Ascot and the Millennium Stadium; Nelson’s column and the Olympic Park’s Orbit. We have so much to be proud of so much to share with each other and so much to show off to the rest of the world. And we have in the coming decade an unprecedented opportunity to take our tourism industry to a whole new level with so many big international sporting moments that will put us at the centre of the world stage year after year. Of course the Olympics – which will see the Triathlon right here in Hyde Park (and of course the Beach Volleyball on Horseguards’ Parade which I’ll be able to see from my bedroom window.) But also the Champions’ League final at Wembley next year. The Rugby League World Cup in 2013. The Commonwealth Games in 2014. The Rugby Union World Cup in 2015. And we’re fighting hard to get the football World Cup in 2018. And that’s just to name a few. Not to mention the Ryder Cup or the annual Six Nations. This really will be the greatest sporting decade in British history. And of course there will be great non-sporting moments too like the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee. We have to ensure that when the cameras leave after all these great events the people don’t leave with them. And that the benefits are spread across the country and not just felt here in London or in our other major cities. We must not let these opportunities slip through our grasp. ...