A report by The European Tour Operators Association claiming that London may not see tourism benefits from staging the 2012 Olympic Games has been dismissed by Visit London.   The capital’s official visitor organisation denied the report’s claims that if London followed the same pattern as Beijing, and other recent host cities of the Olympic Games, tourism numbers were likely to fall significantly (see previous TravelMole story).   Chief executive Sally Chatterjee, said:“It’s impossible to compare Olympic cities directly.   “London is the world’s most visited destination by foreign travellers and one of the most accessible cities in the world.   “We believe the London 2012 Olympic Games will bring an influx of new visitors to London.   “Olympic year will be one of the most exciting times in our history and no-one will want to miss out.   “We’re expecting the London 2012 Olympic Games to deliver nearly £1.5 billion in economic benefit to the city from increased tourism revenues over ten years.”   by Phil Davies

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Martin Drew Director, Finder.co.uk Ltd. 16 November 2009, 10:04:55 GMT You need to have been to understand Responding to Sue Hillman her comment reflects exactly what sensible people who have never been to an Olympic games would think. I have been to two Olympics as well as many other major events and for a whole heap of reasons I can't go into here I can tell her that sadly people don't come. Spectators are pretty much friends and relatives of the performers and people who participated in past Olympics or are fanatical about the sport. I have been in half empty stadiums to watch finals in Olympic tennis, I have watched atheletics finals in far from full stadiums and seen cyclists in road races with no-one lining the route and for that event no ticket was necessary. Of course there is one way to ensure people come. Don't put the Olympics on TV!   Sue Hillman 13 November 2009, 17:57:43 GMT Tickets will be key The Olympics will be a huge draw for visitors if they can get hold of tickets to the events easily. Especially important for visitors from neighbouring European countries who can get to London quickly on Eurostar. If they can access events and get hotels for short breaks they'll come.   David Weston Chief Executive, Bed & Breakfast Association 06 November 2009, 14:39:14 GMT VisitLondon expect a "lull" not a boom The rejection of the ETOA report by VisitLondon is disingenuous. I have myself heard a very senior figure at VisitLondon say (in private) that a "lull" in tourism was expected in London for the Games. Of course, in public they have to keep to the Government's line that tourism will be boosted...   Martin Drew Director, Finder.co.uk Ltd. 06 November 2009, 13:50:02 GMT Some people believe in fairies When Sally Chatterjee says "“We believe the London 2012 Olympic Games will bring an influx of new visitors to London." it says it all. Visit London is crossing its fingers and hoping like hell that the Olympics will generate tourist revenues but haven't anything concrete to back it up. Many of us have real experience of what happens to cities that host these events and have facts to back up our assertion that the Olympics will actually reduce tourist spend. She is right about one thing though - London is the world's most visited destination, which is precisely why London didn't need the Olympics in the first place.