Visit London, VisitBritain and the Department for Culture, Media and Sport are holding a special conference today to outline their plans to maximise British tourism in the build up to the 2012 Olympics and beyond.
The three organisations, together with London Organising Committee for the Olympic Games (LOCOG), will use today’s forum at Barbican Hall, London, to show how the Olympic and Paralympic Games are being used to boost tourism and accelerate improvements in quality, welcome and service.
Shaun Woodward MP, minister for tourism and creative industries, said 50% to 70% of the net Olympic economic benefit – at least £2 billion – will come via tourism.
“To make the most of all the opportunities for future growth and prosperity that London 2012 brings, we must act now and lay strong foundations that will shape British tourism for generations to come,” he said.
Tom Wright, chief executive of VisitBritain, added: “We plan to lever London 2012 to attract a great number of additional visitors to all parts of Britain in the years before, during and – particularly – after The Games.
“The four-year Cultural Olympiad provides a great platform and we’re putting plans in place now that will ensure that as the torch is passed to Britain, we are ready to make the most of every opportunity to reach new markets and audiences.”
The 500-strong conference, chaired by BBC sports presenter Rob Bonnet, will also preview an industry-wide consultation exercise being launched next month by Tessa Jowell.
It will be used to direct the comprehensive Tourism 2012 Strategy being developed by DCMS.
By Bev Fearis
