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Nerves jangle as Olympic decision nears
The eyes and ears of the UK tourism industry will be on Singapore today as the final day of lobbying takes place before tomorrow’s nerve-jangling decision on who will host the 2012 Olympics.
As David Beckham, wife Victoria and England football manager Sven Goran Eriksson jetted into Singapore to add to London’s charm offensive, VisitBritain broke free of the “cautiously optimistic” line to insist the capital has an “excellent chance of winning”.
Should London get the nod – and it is neck and neck with Paris with Madrid coming up on the rails – it could be worth £2 billion to the leisure industry.
“We are confident of winning. We think we will,” said a VisitBritain spokesman. “London has put in a wonderful bid and we have an excellent chance. It is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity, will bring long lasting benefits to the tourism industry and attract additional leisure and business travellers to all regions of Britain.”
Hosting the games would give the industry the “perfect platform” to market the UK, he added.
“Based on what Sydney experienced during the 2000 Olympics, it could be worth £2 billion to the industry. We would have 20,000 journalists here, not only covering the Olympics but reporting on all aspects of Britain.”
Meanwhile, VisitBritain rebuked claims from French president Jacques Chirac that British food is second only to Finland as the world’s worst.
“That perception has changed over the last 10 years – the comments are a little out of date,” the spokesman said. “We have won numerous awards for our food, have Michelin star restaurants across the country and gastro pubs.”
He added: “Of course standards will vary – even in France.”
Report by Steve Jones
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