Stephen PullingerA Norwich tourism boss has spoken of the importance of the 2012 Olympics to the city and county during a special conference.At the event at Duxford, Cambridgeshire, organised by East of England Tourism, 200 delegates were told how the games were likely to generate an extra 250,000 international visitors.Stephen Pullinger

A Norwich tourism boss has spoken of the importance of the 2012 Olympics to the city and county during a special conference.

At the event at Duxford, Cambridgeshire, organised by East of England Tourism, 200 delegates were told how the games were likely to generate an extra 250,000 international visitors.

And the value of Britain hosting the Olympics to national tourism has been estimated as much as �2.3bn over the decade from 2007-2017.

Caroline Jarrold, chairman of VisitNorwich, said their focus on the importance of the games was shown by the days and hours counter already on their website stating: Visit Norwich - closer than you think to London 2012.

She said: 'The slogan highlights the fact we are closer to the games in more than one sense. Evidence from the Commonwealth Games in Manchester showed that even places two-and-a-half hours travelling time from the city benefited from a spill out effect.

'Norwich is well placed as an attractive place to be based during the games. It is bound to create a tremendous buzz and the big screen in Chapelfield is sure to be popular.

'Even people with tickets for some of the events won't go into London every day, and we're hoping there will be improved rail links to Stratford in place ahead of the games.'

After the games, Norwich would be well placed to engage in the Cultural Olympiad, a showcase of the host city's arts and culture, especially if it has been chosen as City of Culture for 2013.

She said they would be working with partners such as the local council and city businesses to make the most of the varied opportunities.