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[Vanda]

IT'S time to come out and celebrate everything that's great about Gloucester.
As part of English Tourism Week, people are being urged to make the most of attractions in the city and surrounding area, from museums and historical sites to restaurants, shops and outdoor activity centres.
It comes as tourism bosses are gearing up for a big year – with the feel-good factor created by the Olympic Games and the Queen's Diamond Jubilee expected to generate millions for the county's economy, and a new campaign, Believe In Gloucester, is launched.
Liz Barnwell, of Marketing Gloucester, which is responsible for promoting the city as a tourist destination, said the week marked the start of an important period for the county.
She said: "English Tourism Week is an ideal opportunity for people to come and appreciate some of our fantastic attractions – especially if they have never visited us before. We also want people who already live in and around Gloucester to appreciate what's on their doorstep.
"There is so much to do for people of all ages and the city is surrounded by beautiful countryside in the Forest of Dean and the Cotswolds."
English Tourism Week takes place from Sunday to March 18.
Chris Turney, director of the Dick Whittington Farm Park, in Longhope, said with the diamond jubilee and the Olympics just around the corner, it could be the start of a boom for tourist destinations in the county.
He said: "These two events have the potential to create a huge feel-good factor and when you've got that there's every chance people will want to go out and enjoy themselves more.
"It could play an important part in helping us all turn our backs on all the economic doom and gloom."
Key attractions which could cash in on the opportunity include Gloucester Cathedral, the Beatrix Potter's Tailor of Gloucester Museum and Gloucester Docks.
A number of events are planned to coincide with the Believe in Gloucester campaign this year including BiG Thursdays in June which will see traders in the city centre offer discounts.
Tourism is worth about £1billion a year to Gloucestershire, sustaining 10 per cent of the county's jobs.
Chris Dee, tourism manager at GFirst, said: "At a time when visitors are looking for authentic experiences, Gloucestershire delivers history, heritage, real local characters and thrilling annual calendar of cultural and sporting events."
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