Hunt is due to travel to the Weymouth and Portland National Sailing Academy - the venue for the sailing in 2012 - where he will outline plans to create a permanent tourism legacy for the whole country "meaning a sustained and sustainable increase in the number of tourists visiting our shores".

He will make it a priority to ensure that Britain learns lessons from previous Olympic host countries to ensure the development of "the best tourism marketing plan that any country has ever had".

Hunt hopes that the new plan will help allay concerns that Games risks doing little to benefit areas outside London and will give details of how Britain's Nations and Regions are able to cash in as well.

A marketing and PR fund will be established which it is hoped will generate £1 billion ($1.5 billion) worth of marketing and PR in more than 20 key areas around the world in 2012, which also includes the Queen's Diamond Jubilee, and the run-up to the Games.

Tourism Minister John Penrose plans first to seek the view of key stakeholders before announcing a funding package later this year.

But VisitBritain - which believes an influx of visitors for the Olympics and Paralympics could provide a £500 million ($736 million) boost for the economy - is likely to be at the forefront of the campaign.

Hunt will state that tourism is vitally important for the UK, making a direct contribution to the economy of nearly £90 billion ($132 billion) each year and employing around 1.5 million people.

Hunt will say in his speech: "I know that the Games are not just about six weeks of fantastic sport in 2012.

"In the words of Shakespeare, 'Summer's lease hath all too short a date', and we cannot afford to let this priceless opportunity pass us by without guaranteeing a lasting economic benefit.

"That means not only putting towns like Weymouth on the international tourism map in a way that has never happened before.

"But also harnessing the full potential of 2012 to createa permanent tourism legacy for the country as a whole - meaning a sustained and  sustainable increase in the number of tourists visiting our shores."

Sandie Dawe, the chief executive of VisitBritain, said: "We are delighted that our new Secretary of State has prioritised the delivery of a lasting tourism legacy from our hosting of the 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games.

"This is the world's greatest sporting event and we intend to put on the world's biggest party to showcase all that is best about our people, arts, culture, heritage and hospitality.

"VisitBritain will rise to the challenge that the Secretary of State has set of delivering £1 billion ($1.5 billion) of PR, showcasing Britain in our top developing and mature markets and to work with our Ministers to create a marketing pot match-funded by the industry.

"We are already well positioned to pick up the baton, with a clear strategy to enhance our image as a visitor destination, maximise the economic benefits for tourism across the UK and deliver a world-class welcome to visitors in 2012 and beyond."

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