Edinburgh ministers have launched a 10-year plan to boost tourism in Scotland.

Tourism minister Patricia Ferguson said the sector was "vital to Scotland's economy".

Proposals in the action plan include moves to raise standards by boosting training and encouraging environmental awareness.

By 2015 all businesses wishing to work with VisitScotland must be members of the 'green tourism business scheme'.

And there will be an emphasis on promoting sustainable tourism throughout Scotland.

"Our industry is growing and developing well but we can't afford to be complacent - the competition is strong," said Ferguson.

"That's why the executive is working closely with industry to deliver these radical changes to create a bright future for tourism in Scotland helping us to achieve our target of 50 per cent growth by 2015.

"Our tourism businesses have the ambition and desire to maintain Scotland's place as a premier world destination.

"I am confident that this framework for change will be embraced and that the next ten years will be an exciting and fruitful time for tourism in Scotland."

Peter Taylor, chairman of the Scottish Tourism Forum, welcomed the initiative.

"For us to achieve the growth ambitions we must be sure that we are in this together, both public and private sectors," he said.

"The private sector must invest to improve products and services and the public sector must create a legislative platform that will allow business to grow."