The Department for Culture, Media & Sport (DCMS) has announced details of funding for all its bodies - including a five percent cut to international tourism, with no cut to domestic tourism.

The zero per cent cut to VisitEngland's core grant-in-aid has been met with great positivity from the organisation, which said that it was "reassured" by the government's commitment to tourism in England.

In a statement, VisitEngland said: "We recognise the public purse is under ever increasing pressure so we are delighted that tourism's significant contribution to the economy has been recognised by the Secretary of State, Maria Miller and Tourism Minister, Hugh Robertson, in securing this settlement."

Tourism in the UK is worth an estimated £97bn. However growth in the sector has seen a steady rise across the country thanks to various campaigns promoting Britain overseas combined with successes of international events such as the London 2012 Olympic Games.

The VisitEngland statement continued, saying: “Retaining our budget will help us to maintain our core activity."

These activities include supporting, stimulating and managing tourism with advertising, funding and management on all levels in an effort to facilitate continual progress and sustained growth.

Much speculation had surrounded the levels of tourism cuts within the DCMS and yesterday's announcement was much more positive than had been previously expected.

Research conducted by UKinbound recently revealed that inbound bookings, whilst fragile in some markets appear to be strengthening - something which indicates how much the UK is reliant on the effective promotion of Britain.

Mary Rance, chief executive of UKinbound, said: "We stand poised to continue working in partnership with VisitBritain to ensure sustained growth in visitor numbers and export-ready product is delivered across the UK."

UKinbound and VisitBritain have made a target of bringing 40m visitors to the UK by 2020 and with the comparatively small cut from the government, the target is still in reach.