VisitBritain will host its main international travel trade event- �Destination Britain and Ireland 2011� or DEBI� at the Leela Palace Hotel in Bengaluru in May next year. This event will enable leading firms from Britain to meet 100 of the top buyers from 15 countries across the Asia Pacific, Middle East and Australia regions. This was informed by David Cameron, Prime Minister, United Kingdom during his recent visit to the capital.

As per the press release issued by VisitBritain, the event is expected to generate nearly ten million pounds of tourism business for more than 70 companies participating in the event. The companies range from Selfridges to Merlin attractions that own Legoland, Alton Towers, The London Eye and Madame Tussauds. The statement also stated that India is a key market for VisitBritain because of the rapidly growing middle class segment and their willingness to spend money to travel. The total number of visitors to Britain is expected to grow by more than four lakh over the next decade. The organisation has also tied-up with Standard Chartered Bank to issue discount travel cards for tourists from India. For Britain, India figures among the top 20 overseas markets.