DAVID Cameron will announce a five-point plan to drive tourists beyond London today (Friday, July 17).

The Prime Minister will create a new task force led by Culture Secretary John Whittingdale focusing on better co-ordination across the tourism industry; skills and jobs; “common sense” regulation; transport links; and how visitors are welcomed.

The announcement comes as new analysis reveals the number of international visitors to County Durham jumped by 17 per cent year-on-year to 2014, reaching 93,000.

Tourism minister Tracey Crouch said: “Durham offers a great and varied mix of sights and experiences. It’s fantastic that so many tourists visited the county in 2014.”

Sally Balcombe, the chief executive of Visit Britain, added: “I hope this growth continues as Durham is one of the areas set to benefit from the Government’s £10m Northern Tourism Growth Fund, which will support campaign activity throughout 2015 and until March 2016.”

The UK welcomed a record 34.4 million tourists last year and those visitors spent £21.8bn, making international tourism the country’s third largest service export.

The Prime Minister, who is currently visiting the South-West, will also announce a £1m competition for ideas to make the exploring the UK by rail more attractive to tourists.