New research from the UK's national tourist boards - VisitBritain, VisitScotland, Visit Wales and Failte Ireland - reveals the value of business delegates to the UK's £75 billion visitor economy and the benefits to different sectors including food and drink, accommodation and retail.

The 2006 Delegate Expenditure Survey demonstrates to the business community, as well as Government and tourism destinations and attractions, the value of meetings and conferences and the contribution they make to the benefit of local and regional economies.

The £9.4 billion sector is particularly important as spending on inbound business visits for conferences and large meetings increased by 13% between 2000 and 2005, compared to only three per cent for inbound holiday visits.

It is hoped the survey will help more companies understand the benefits of doing business in the UK.

The survey examines the amount of money typically spent for every delegate attending company meetings or courses outside the office, as well as meetings of professional, academic or trade associations. It also provides details on the money invested in incentive trips.

According to the research, International Associations such as the Soroptimist International Federation Conference - the world's largest service organisation for women - in NewcastleGateshead, generate £364 a day for every delegate that attends, excluding the cost of transport to and from the venue. Eight per cent of this is spent on accommodation before or after the conference itself and a further five per cent on shopping or gifts.

Joss Croft, head of business visits and events at national tourism agency, VisitBritain, says: "The UK hosted 270 meetings of international associations last year. If each welcomes only 100 delegates on a three-day visit, the research shows they are bringing £29 million to destinations throughout England, Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales.

"What's more, by hosting a meeting in their own country, the business community directly benefits the local tourism industry and supports livelihoods that depend on it. We must encourage international and UK business communities to think of the UK first when they are planning their meetings, conferences and incentive trips."

Meetings of domestic UK associations, such as the Unison National Women's Conference, that last several days, generate £461 a day for every delegate that attends and six per cent goes on food and drink before or after the conference. Businesses and corporations also make an invaluable contribution to the economy, organising meetings or conferences that bring £459 per delegate per day to local economies.

Andy Scott, director of international and UK operations at the CBI, says: "The UK has one of the most open economies, founded on free trade. Britain provides a welcoming and attractive environment for global business whether they invest, trade or participate in international business events. This brings a huge influx of business visitors to the UK and real benefits, both to the national as well as individual regional economies. Business tourism in the UK is a great, all round success."

Incentive trips are also lucrative for Britain's tourist industry. Participants are usually treated to an all-expenses-paid visit by their organisation as a reward for hard work or exceptional achievements. Organisers spend £293 a day on each participant: 62 per cent on accommodation and meals and 28 per cent on events, entertainment and activities. Samsung and Sony Ericsson have both recently sent employees to the UK for incentive experiences.

Joss Croft continues: "While holiday visits are still responsible for 32% of all inbound spend, continued investment to nurture the growth in spending on conferences and meetings will benefit our visitor economy and the organisations an individuals that depend on it.

"As national tourist boards we can help raise awareness among the world's business community of the world-beating facilities and superlative experiences to be enjoyed throughout the UK. As well as information on vibrant cities with state-of-the-art facilities and stately homes and historic venues to be found nowhere else in the world, our advice and the initiatives we have developed are helping to take the pain out of planning."

The Delegate Expenditure Survey can be downloaded from the business visits and events section of VisitBritain's industry website, www.visitbritain.com/ukindustry.